Burle Marx

Born in São Paulo and died in Rio de Janeiro, was a renowned Brazilian landscape architect, architect, and visual artist, recognized for his multifaceted contribution to the arts and landscape design. From his childhood in Rio de Janeiro to his studies in Berlin, where he deeply connected with European modern art, Burle Marx was always immersed in a culturally rich environment.

In Berlin, he attended the painting studio of Degner Klemn and was deeply influenced by the works of Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, and Paul Klee. His passion for botany was sparked in the botanical gardens of Dahlen, where his fascination with Brazilian flora began to take shape.

Returning to Brazil in 1929, he studied painting and architecture at the National School of Fine Arts in Rio de Janeiro. His first landscaping project was carried out in 1932, for the Schwartz family residence, collaborating with architect Lucio Costa and modernist architect Gregori Warchavchik. Between 1934 and 1937, Burle Marx was the director of parks and gardens in Recife, Pernambuco, where he pioneered the integration of landscape art with modern architecture.

His career was marked by a continuous exploration and collection of plants, culminating in the creation of a vast collection at the site he purchased in Campo Grande, Rio de Janeiro, in 1949. This space became both a personal refuge and a botanical study center, where he worked alongside botanists to catalog and disseminate knowledge about Brazilian flora.

Roberto Burle Marx's contributions to landscape design and his ability to merge art with botany continue to influence generations and are celebrated worldwide in museums and art collections.

Sources:
Photo: http://enciclopedia.itaucultural.org.br/pessoa1461/burle-marx