About this piece
Original Illustration Map of Hawaii by Charles Burki, ca. 1945 – Ink Drawing
Original pen-and-ink illustration of the Hawaï-Eilanden (Hawaiian Islands) by Dutch artist Charles Burki (1909–1994), executed circa 1945. This refined black-and-white drawing combines crisp cartographic precision with Burki’s elegant graphic artistry, showcasing his ability to merge geography, design, and visual storytelling.
The map depicts the major Hawaiian islands, Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau, labeled in Dutch and surrounded by the Stille Oceaan (Pacific Ocean). Decorative details, including a large pineapple and tropical foliage in the upper left corner, evoke the exotic abundance and maritime charm of mid-century travel imagery. The scale bar and directional notations confirm its use as original layout artwork for a Dutch educational or commercial publication.
Executed with fine pen work, cross-hatching, and Burki’s precise architectural line, this composition reflects his technical training and his post-war fascination with global geography. Comparable works were produced for publishers such as Uitgeverij Succes, Het Spectrum, and De Bezige Bij during the 1940s–1950s, when Burki contributed map vignettes and visual supplements to books and magazines.
A beautifully preserved and rare example of Burki’s map-based design art, merging the rigor of a draftsman with the imagination of a world illustrator.
Biographical Note:
Charles Burki (1909–1994) was a Dutch painter and illustrator whose career bridged the colonial and post-war eras. Trained in architectural drafting, he moved to the Dutch East Indies in the 1930s and became known for posters and illustrations for local periodicals. During World War II he was imprisoned as a POW; during transport to Japan his ship was bombed and sunk. He survived ten hours at sea, endured imprisonment, and lived through the atomic bombing in Japan at 1,500 meters from impact, an ordeal that profoundly shaped his later art.
After the war Burki returned to the Netherlands, where he became one of the country’s leading illustrators, creating dynamic cover art and maps for Uitgeverij Succes, De Bezige Bij, Het Spectrum, and Kluitman. His precise draughtsmanship, cinematic realism, and restrained palette reflect both technical mastery and lived experience. Today his original gouache and ink boards are prized as rare examples of mid-century Dutch illustration and narrative art.
Condition report:
Excellent condition; strong, unfaded black ink on cream paper. Minor age toning and faint production pencil marks along the margin, not affecting the image.
Framing tips:
Display in a simple black, walnut, or teak frame with an ivory mat. A floating mount highlights the fine border and technical draftsmanship.
Technique: Pen and ink on paper
Maker: Charles Burki, The Netherlands, ca. 1945
