Charles Burki, Wounded Soldier and Winter Visitor, 1955, Paper

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Wounded Soldier and Winter Visitor – Original Illustration by Charles Burki, c.1955 This poignant black-and-white illustration by Charles Burki (1909–1994) … Read more Wounded Soldier and Winter Visitor – Original Illustration by Charles Burki, c.1955 This poignant black-and-white illustration by Charles Burki (1909–1994) captures a moment of quiet humanity amid the desolation of war. A soldier, his head bandaged, lies under a makeshift shelter of snow and canvas, while a child in a fur parka approaches hesitantly across the frozen ground, carrying a small box. The barren winter forest and soft light give the scene a haunting stillness, balancing realism and emotional depth. Executed in Burki’s signature technique of ink and watercolor wash on textured paper, the work displays his characteristic precision and empathy. The folds of the sleeping bag, the child’s bundled clothing, and the subtle gradations of snow and shadow reveal an illustrator who combined journalistic clarity with deep psychological insight. The restrained grayscale palette intensifies the silence of the scene — a moment between survival and compassion. Born in Bandung, Dutch East Indies, Charles Burki lived through extraordinary wartime experiences that profoundly shaped his art. During World War II, he was imprisoned by the Japanese, surviving both the bombing of Nagasaki and the sinking of a prisoner transport ship. After the war, he resettled in the Netherlands, where he became one of the country’s leading illustrators. His postwar work often explored the resilience of humanity amid adversity — whether in the jungles of Southeast Asia, the deserts of Africa, or the frozen frontiers of the North. This illustration likely dates to the mid-1950s, when Burki contributed to numerous illustrated magazines and adventure novels. The theme of war tempered by compassion echoes his lifelong humanist outlook, drawn from personal experience rather than abstraction. Condition: Very good condition with strong tonal contrasts and crisp detail; light handling traces at the outer margins consistent with age. Framing tips: A neutral-toned frame in brushed silver or grey, with a white or off-white mat, will complement the stark emotional power of the image and its subtle monochrome palette. Technique: Ink and watercolor wash on paper Maker: Charles Burki, Dutch, circa 1955 See less