Roberto Burle Marx: The Lyrical Landscape

One of the most influential landscape and garden designers of the twentieth century, Roberto Burle Marx (1909–1993) has inspired generations of gardens around the world. His sweeping forms and painterly approach to planting were revolutionary when they first came to public attention in the 1930s, and many contemporary designs today owe his vision a great debt. Born in Såo Paulo, Brazil, the son of German emigrants, Burle Marx studied painting in Rio de Janeiro, an aspect of his work that persisted throughout his career. Drawing on his masterly knowledge of Brazil's rich tropical plants, his fine-art training, and his love of music and sculpture, he began with private landscape commissions before his work caught the eye of architects Le Corbusier and Oscar Niemeyer. With them, Burle Marx created some of his most memorable works in Brasilia and elsewhere around Brazil. His later commissions included numerous parks, private institutions, and his own residence, the magical El Jardin de las Maravillas--The Garden of Wonders. Publications on Burle Marx have been few, despite his world renown. This book is the first major publication in a decade. Before his death, the author worked closely with Burle Marx during the writing of this book, and gained unique insight into the life, ideas, and work that are outlined in the introduction. The core of the book is twenty-six projects, presented through plans--some redrawn from Marx's now vanished or ruined originals--specially commissioned photographs, planting schemes, and some of Burle Marx's own paintings. An extensive reference section includes an exhaustive chronology and bibliography. At a time when landscape design is more lively and influential than ever, this tribute to an acknowledged master of modern design is destined to inspire gardens and landscape design for years to come.