Burle Marx

In 1914, Roberto Burle Marx relocated with his family to Rio de Janeiro. By 1928, he heeded medical advice and journeyed to Berlin, Germany, accompanied by his father. During his time there, he embarked on frequent visits to the Dahlem Botanical Garden, where he encountered the lush diversity of Brazilian flora. This experience also introduced him to the artistic influences of Cubism and the works of Cézanne, Matisse, Braque, Klee, and Picasso. Notably, a retrospective of Van Gogh’s art made a lasting impression on him.

Upon his return to Rio de Janeiro, he enrolled at the National School of Fine Arts, where he received instruction from Leo Putz, who hailed from the Munich School. Subsequently, he continued his studies with Celso Antonio, Pedro Correia de Araújo, and Portinari. It was during this period that he embarked on parallel careers as both a painter and a landscaper, reflecting the two facets of his artistic persona. This duality has been highlighted by scholars such as Clarival do Prado Valladares, who observed, “To approve of his gardens and not his painting – (a more common opinion among other artists) – or to appreciate his painting but not his gardens – (a more frequent view among landscape artists) – is to overlook the best of what Roberto Burle Marx has offered us, connecting pictorial composition with nature. This is precisely what he accomplishes, whether in creating a garden, painting through nature, or producing a mural, a panel, or a painting on a simple sheet of paper as he studies it.”

In 1932, he created his first garden, which was designed by Lúcio Costa and Gregori Warchavchik. In 1934, during a trip to Recife, he assumed the role of director of Parks and Gardens and designed his initial ecological gardens. In 1965, he earned the Fine Arts Medal from the American Institute of Architects in Washington, USA, in recognition of his comprehensive body of work. He participated in various international exhibitions, including the Venice Biennale in Italy in 1970, and consistently showcased his art in exhibitions both in Brazil and abroad. In 2002, the “Roberto Burle Marx: Ymagos Collection” exhibition was inaugurated, featuring 120 prints by the artist at the Memorial da América Latina in São Paulo.