We are grateful for the research conducted by Nancy Weekly, Burchfield Scholar, Burchfield Penney Art Center, Buffalo, New York.

Written in Burchfield’s characteristically spare yet detailed style, the following journal entries trace the development of a Christmas-themed work—from preliminary sketches through framing and exhibition, to its reproduction as a Christmas card. Burchfield’s Christmas cards have since become collectors’ items, particularly when signed by the artist. During his lifetime, Burchfield permitted the reproduction of fourteen of his paintings as Christmas cards, eight of which were issued by the American Artists Group.

Regarding Bringing in the Christmas Tree, entries in his journal and painting index suggest that Burchfield modified a 1945 painting for a card produced for the 1947 season. These entries capture both the quiet pleasures of home and the anticipation of holiday gatherings. More than a decade later, Burchfield wrote of the possibility of revisiting the scene depicted in Bringing in the Christmas Tree for a new work—evidence of his continued affinity for the composition.

Thursday, September 4, 1947

Preliminary studies of house & sled I want to put in a sketch (made north of Bennington Center Dec. 1945)—as a greeting card; a Christmas tree to be in the sled.

P.M. all afternoon on the picture—the work went well. Almost everything I did seemed to be right on the first trial, and consequently the picture has a marked spontaneity. Everyone liked it.

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, Vol. 48, September 4, 1947, p. 94

Thursday, October 2, 1947

Most of day on 2 frames (one for the Christmas picture, and one for the picture of mine that belongs to Mart)—P.M. B & I to Buffalo to buy suit for B. found a nice gray one at Charles’—

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, Vol. 48, October 2, 1947, p. 111

Tuesday, December 2, 1947

All morning on unpacking and "dismantling" pictures—a dark damp day, threatening rain. P.M. sketch (outdoors) of Cottrell's backyard, with the little red chicken coop featured. Mid-p.m. Otto brought two more boxes, which I had him put in the garage on account of rain.

Late p.m. Call from Art Gallery. They wish to exhibit my "A Child's Vision of Christmas Eve" in connection with their sale of Christmas cards, and I consented.

Evening—a game of rummy, then we both went to bed and listened to the Boston Symphony—Tchaikovsky's Sixth Symphony.

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, Vol. 49, December 2, 1947, pp. 2-3

Wednesday, December 24, 1947

Cold—sunny—scarcely a trace of snow—to city line for green vegetables and a ball-point pen for Bertha—All day on decorations—setting up tree, etc.—

Mid-p.m.—telephone call from Sally that she & Red & baby were getting a ride as far as Batavia, and would be able to spend part of Christmas day with us.

Evening—Mart & Hank down—trimming tree. Lunch—(brown bread cream cheese spread & coffee etc.).

C & A [Catherine and Arthur] to station to meet Sally—talk until after two. Baby put in "davenport-pen"—showed no signs of being tired—laughed and played the whole time.

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, vol. 49, December 24, 1947, pp. 11-12

Saturday, January 17, 1948

Jan. 17—(Sat.) (A.M. check from A.A.G. [American Artists Group] for royalties on cards and Monograph (185.07). Almost 16,000 cards sold.)

Charles Burchfield, Journals, Vol. 49, January 17, 1948, p. 13

Friday, November 10, 1961

The idea of another early winter twilight continues to burn in my mind, but I haven’t yet been able to get to work on a drawing. I got out the painting “Bringing in the Christmas Tree” (used for a Christmas card, in fact the man, horse drawn sledge & running dog, added for this purposed)—I think I shall remove these—and restore it to a peaceful scene, the late afternoon sun shining over the first blanket of snow of the season.

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, Vol. 60, November 10, 1961, p. 107