Original 1947 Map of Brazil by Charles Burki – Dutch Colonial Graphic Design
€ 620
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1947
Sheet size
31.5 × 22.5 cm (12.4 × 8.9 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-Bea34
Condition
Condition report: Very good condition with minor toning consistent with age, small traces of mounting tape on margins, and light handling marks. The printed surface remains crisp, with rich blacks and clean lines.
About this sheet
Original 1947 Map of Brazil by Charles Burki – Dutch Colonial Graphic Design
This original 1947 pen-and-ink map of Brazil by Charles Burki (1909–1994) exemplifies the artist’s precision, clarity, and distinctive mid-century graphic style. Executed in fine black linework on cream paper, it blends cartographic accuracy with decorative artistry, a hallmark of Burki’s postwar illustration period.
The map presents Brazil’s geography, resources, and agricultural zones in striking black-and-white contrasts, accompanied by a clear Dutch legend: “Weide Gronden” (pasturelands), “Woudgebied” (forested areas), “Granen” (grains), and “Metalen (ontgonnen)” (mined metals). Major cities such as Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Manaos are identified, along with rivers like the Rio Negro, Rio Madeira, and the Amazon. A beautifully detailed compass rose and a sailing ship in the lower right corner lend the map a maritime flair reminiscent of early exploration charts.
At the bottom left, an inset notes “Tierra del Brasil, in 1500 ontdekt door de Portugeezen,” a reference to the Portuguese discovery of Brazil. This historical nod, combined with Burki’s crisp Art Deco typographic choices, places the map stylistically within the postwar Dutch educational and commercial design tradition, when Burki worked on geography and economic illustrations for magazines and publishing houses such as *Uitgeverij Succes*.
Burki’s map combines educational purpose with graphic elegance. The dense black patterning of economic zones contrasts with the clean coastal lines and ship engraving, demonstrating his background as both illustrator and architect. His compositional sense is evident in how the title “BRAZIL” anchors the lower border, balanced by the inset and ship vignette, making this piece both informative and visually commanding.
Condition report: Very good condition with minor toning consistent with age, small traces of mounting tape on margins, and light handling marks. The printed surface remains crisp, with rich blacks and clean lines.
Framing suggestion: Best displayed in a thin black or walnut frame with a natural off-white mat, highlighting the strong monochrome contrasts and fine linear detail of the map.
Technique: Pen and ink on paper Maker: Charles Burki (Dutch-Indonesian, 1909–1994), signed and dated 1947
