About
Roberto
Burle Marx
Roberto Burle Marx (1909–1994) was a pioneering Brazilian landscape designer, artist, and conservationist whose legacy transcends disciplines and borders. Globally renowned, he revolutionised garden design by merging Brazil’s native flora with the principles of modernist abstraction, creating iconic landscapes that have stood the test of time.
A master of multiple disciplines, Burle Marx excelled as a painter, sculptor, and even a jewellery designer, channelling his artistic sensibility into gardens that became living works of art. He redefined public spaces, harmonising nature and urban life, and left an enduring impact on environmental conservation.
The Artist and Designer
Burle Marx’s approach to landscape design was deeply artistic. Drawing from his background as a baritone singer, he saw gardens as a form of musical composition, arranging plants like notes to create visual harmonies and symphonies. His multifaceted artistry extended to painting, sculpture, and jewellery design, all of which informed his groundbreaking approach to gardens.
His innovative projects redefined public spaces, demonstrating his remarkable ability to translate complex spatial concepts into precise designs. With nearly 3,000 projects spanning 20 countries over six decades, Burle Marx’s work remains a testament to his unparalleled creativity.
The Botanist and Environmentalist
Roberto Burle Marx’s passion for plants began in his youth and deepened during his studies in Germany in the 1920s. A transformative visit to the Dahlem Botanical Garden in Berlin reconnected him with the native plants of Brazil, inspiring him to integrate ecology into his artistic vision.
A pioneering environmentalist, he was among the first to advocate for protecting Brazil’s biodiversity. Over his lifetime, he discovered dozens of plant species, including Heliconia burle-marxii and Philodendron burle-marxii. He believed in integrating nature into urban life, famously stating, 'The brutality of present urban conditions makes the garden a compelling necessity'.
Global recognition
Burle Marx’s contributions earned him international acclaim. Some of his most prestigious recognitions include:
- The Fine Arts Medal from the American Institute of Architects (1965)
- Doctor of the Royal College of Art in London (1982)
- Knight of the Order of the Crown, Belgium (1959)
UNESCO has recognised several of his works for their outstanding universal value, including the Pampulha Modern Ensemble, Flamengo Park, and Sítio Roberto Burle Marx. His home, the Sítio, houses more than 3,500 plant species, serving as a living laboratory for his pioneering ecological design ideas.
A Lasting Legacy
Roberto Burle Marx’s legacy is boundless creativity, environmental stewardship, and a profound vision of harmony between humanity and nature. A master of multiple disciplines, he transcended professional labels, rendering the term 'landscape architect' insufficient to encapsulate his transformative contributions. His life's work continues to inspire, reminding us of the beauty and potential of harmonising nature and urban life.
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Black and White Portrait of Burle Marx, date unknown | © Copyright information not available. All rights to this work are assumed to be held by the creator or copyright holder. If you are the copyright owner and wish to claim ownership or request removal, please contact us.
Aechmea burle-marxii (Orange flower) | © Copyright information not available. All rights to this work are assumed to be held by the creator or copyright holder. If you are the copyright owner and wish to claim ownership or request removal, please contact us.
Heliconia burle-marxii, botanical illustration by Margaret Mee 1970 (red flower) | Image © SRBM/IPHAN/MINC / Margaret Mee
Roberto Burle Marx with Le Corbusier during a luncheon in the architect’s honour at the home of Burle Marx, 1962 | Photo © Burle Marx Landscape Design Studio, Rio de Janeiro
Portrait of Burle Marx holding leaves | Photo © Landscape Film: Roberto Burle Marx (2018) João Vargas Penna
Roberto Burle Marx - Garden of Casa Forte (City Hall), Recife, 1935 | Image provided by Sítio Roberto Burle Marx, Rio de Janeiro © The Jewish Museum, New YorkRoberto Burle Marx, Dr Roberio Dias and Buckmister Fuller at the Santo Antônio da Bica Farm (now Sítio Roberto Burle Marx), March 8, 1980 |
Photo: by Walter Burle Marx © Dr Roberio Dias Collection.
Vellozia Burle-Marxii botanical illustration by Margaret Mee (purple flower) | Image © SRBM/IPHAN/MINC / Margaret Mee
Roberto Burle painting tablecloth and tiles at Sitio/ San Antonio de Bica | Photo © Meyer/Tyba
Calathea burle-marxii, Ice Blue (blue flower) | Photo © Carl E Lewis/ Flikr
Forma Livre carved chrysoprase in a gold bracelet by Roberto Burle Marx and Haroldo Burle Marx | Photo © Marion Fasel
Philodendron burle-marxii, botanical illustration by Margaret Mee | Image © SRBM/IPHAN/MINC / Margaret Mee
Tapeçaria by Burle Marx, 1980 | Photo © Ding Musa
Roberto Burle Marx and Margaret Mee in his home in Rio de Janeiro, 1988 | Photo © South American Pictures, Tony Morrison
The Roberto Burle Marx Foundation
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