Science & Education · 20th century
€ 990
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Condition report: Excellent overall condition. The surface is clean and stable with light age toning around the margins and minor handling traces.
Oil Rig Disaster Scene by Charles Burki, 1974 – Dramatic Industrial Illustration
This striking original gouache and ink drawing by Charles Burki (1909–1994), signed and dated 1974, captures an intense industrial disaster set against a mountainous landscape. The scene shows four oil workers in hard hats reacting to an explosion or fire at a drilling rig towering in the background, with plumes of smoke rising dramatically into the cold air. Burki’s mastery of tone and perspective conveys a sense of urgency and cinematic tension—hallmarks of his illustration style during the 1970s.
Rendered in finely graded monochrome, the work demonstrates Burki’s exceptional control of light and composition. The workers’ dynamic gestures—one pointing toward the danger, another running forward, a third clutching a wrench—build a vivid narrative of teamwork, shock, and immediate response. The towering rig framed by steep, snow-covered peaks provides a monumental backdrop, emphasizing both the isolation and peril of the industrial frontier.
This piece reflects Burki’s postwar fascination with modern industry, technology, and human endurance. Having survived the atrocities of World War II—including imprisonment in the Dutch East Indies, a ship bombing, and the atomic bombing of Nagasaki—Burki later channeled his experiences into visual storytelling marked by intensity and compassion. By the 1970s, he was producing illustrations for magazines, technical journals, and adventure publications, where scenes like this captured the drama and heroism of engineering and exploration.
The painting exemplifies Burki’s ability to merge documentary precision with emotional realism. The technical accuracy of the oil rig structure and the expressive portrayal of the workers combine to create a work that is both industrially detailed and deeply human.
Condition report: Excellent overall condition. The surface is clean and stable with light age toning around the margins and minor handling traces.
Framing suggestion: Best presented in a simple black or dark steel-toned frame with an ivory or light grey mount to emphasize the atmospheric contrasts and industrial setting.
Technique: Gouache and ink on paper
Maker: Charles Burki (Dutch-Indonesian, 1909–1994), signed and dated 1974
