Inspired by the forms of nature, Burle Marx's paintings and drawings merge with the life and work of the landscaper and botanist. The study of Brazilian nature is central to Burle Marx´s art. He worked as a botanist and researcher traveling around the country, searching for plant species, from plants of the Cerrado savannah to Amazonian plants and those from the northeastern Sertão scrub.
Initially characterized by still lifes with motifs of Brazilian flora, between 1939 and 1940, his painting incorporated formal solutions from Cubism, with meandering strokes and sober colors. When painting cities, he applied straight lines, geometric shapes and muted colors. From the 1950s onwards, he used many shades of blue, green and yellow in abstract canvases. He also produced numerous ink drawings, inspired by interweaving foliage and twigs. Despite drawing on nature as inspiration, his work is essentially abstract, marked by the use of line and color.
