Burning Autumn Leaves c. 1942

Ethel Magafan’s “Burning Autumn Leaves” is a powerful black and white etching created in 1942. The artwork depicts a woman in simple garb emptying a basket of leaves into a fire. The composition is striking and evocative, with the woman’s figure dwarfed by the flames. The use of shading and linework creates a sense of depth and movement, capturing the energy of the fire and the woman’s determination. Magafan, known for her depictions of rural life, uses this artwork to highlight the cyclical nature of life, suggesting the quiet beauty of autumn and the inevitability of change.