Roberto Burle Marx (1909-1994) was one of the most prominent landscape architects of the twentieth century. The Jewish Museum on the Upper East Side presents the first NYC exhibition to focus on Burle Marx in more than two decades; it is also the first exhibition in the United States to showcase the Brazilian master's full artistic range.
Roberto Burle Marx, mineral roof garden, Banco Safra headquarters, São Paulo, 1983
Through nearly 140 works, Roberto Burle Marx: Brazilian Modernist explores the prolific artist's output—his landscape architecture, paintings, sculptures, theater designs, textiles, and jewelry—as well as related works by contemporary artists and examples from Burle Marx's varied collections.
In addition to landscape gardens, Roberto Burle Marx also made a wide range of geometric necklaces, bracelets, and metal and glass sculptures, also on display at the Jewish Museum. Photo: David Heald
Burle Marx, the child of a German Jewish father and a Brazilian Catholic mother, revolutionized garden design. He embraced modernism in the 1930s, eschewing symmetry in his work. Marx was also prescient in his activism, often giving lectures against deforestation that was taking place in the Amazon. Throughout his 60+ year career, he designed more than 2,000 gardens worldwide. (In the United States, you can find one of his designs realized in Miami, along Key Biscayne Boulevard.)
Roberto Burle Marx, painting a tablecloth in the loggia of his home, 1980s; the azulejo tile walls and chandelier composed of fruit and flowers on a metal armature are his work. Photo: Tyba
This is a strong year for design and architecture at the Jewish Museum, with the presentation of two major design exhibitions in addition to Burle Marx: Isaac Mizrahi: An Unruly History (on view through August 9) and the upcoming Pierre Chareau: Modern Architecture and Design (November 4-March 26). The Jewish Museum also recently welcomed a new, permanent addition that will compel you to add lunch to your museum visit: Russ & Daughters at the Jewish Museum, an extension of the 102-year-old LES landmark, serving up fresh deli classics such as bagels & lox, smoked herring, salads, egg creams, and babka.
Untitled, 1987, Acrylic on Denim, Private collection, São Paulo
Roberto Burle Marx: Brazilian Modernist will run through Sept. 18. Following its New York presentation, it will travel to Berlin and Rio de Janeiro. For more information, visit thejewishmuseum.org.