Items Similar to Original Illustration ‘The Office Fight’ by Charles Burki, 1973 – Gouache
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 9
Original Illustration ‘The Office Fight’ by Charles Burki, 1973 – Gouache
$2,258.61
£1,681.07
€1,900
CA$3,132.46
A$3,372.38
CHF 1,805.98
MX$40,635.98
NOK 22,786.40
SEK 20,853.24
DKK 14,481.51
About the Item
Original Illustration "Office Fight Scene" by Charles Burki, 1973 – Gouache
Description:
Original 1973 gouache and ink illustration by Charles Burki (1909–1994), one of the Netherlands’ most accomplished postwar illustrators. This dynamic work captures an intense moment inside a richly detailed interior: three men locked in violent confrontation, a gun flying through the air above an overturned pile of newspapers and books.
Rendered in Burki’s signature monochrome palette, the scene demonstrates his unmatched mastery of anatomy, perspective, and composition. The expressive motion of the figures, combined with the elegant yet realistic setting — complete with parquet flooring, paneled library walls, and a lit fireplace — evokes the aesthetic of European crime and espionage fiction of the 1960s and 1970s.
Executed with dramatic chiaroscuro and filmic precision, this artwork was most likely produced as an original illustration or cover design for 'Uitgeverij Succes' or another Dutch publisher specializing in adventure or detective novels. It exemplifies Burki’s ability to merge painterly technique with narrative tension, making his works especially prized by collectors of mid-century illustration.
Signed 'Charles Burki ’73' lower right. A striking example of Burki’s mature period, combining technical mastery with the emotional immediacy of cinematic storytelling.
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 spent time in a Japanese camp as a POW, and during transport to Japan his ship was bombed and sunk; he survived ten hours in the sea before rescue, later endured imprisonment in a Japanese camp, and survived the atomic bombing in Japan at 1,500 meters from impact—an ordeal that deeply influenced his later art.
After the war Burki returned to the Netherlands, where he became one of the country’s leading illustrators, producing dynamic cover art for publishers such as 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 boards are prized as rare examples of mid-century Dutch illustration and as compelling works of narrative art in their own right.
Condition report:
Good original condition; minor handling marks and small pigment touch-ups visible under close inspection. Paper lightly toned at edges, otherwise very clean with excellent tonal depth and contrast.
Framing tips:
Best presented in a dark walnut or black wooden frame with a wide off-white mat to emphasize the noir atmosphere and composition. UV-protective museum glass recommended.
Technique: Gouache on board
Maker: Charles Burki, The Netherlands, 1973
High-impact narrative composition and excellent preservation make this a standout example of Burki’s late-period illustration art.
- Dimensions:Height: 13.39 in (34 cm)Width: 17.33 in (44 cm)Depth: 0.01 in (0.2 mm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1973
- Condition:Good original condition; minor handling marks and small pigment touch-ups visible under close inspection. Paper lightly toned at edges, otherwise very clean with excellent tonal depth and contrast.
- Seller Location:Langweer, NL
- Reference Number:Seller: BG-Bea31stDibs: LU3054347066122
About the Seller
5.0
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2009
1stDibs seller since 2017
2,828 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Langweer, Netherlands
- Return Policy
More From This Seller
View AllThe Accident – Original Noir Illustration by Charles Burki, 1964
Located in Langweer, NL
The Accident – Original Noir Illustration by Charles Burki, 1964
This dramatic original illustration by Charles Burki (1909–1994), signed and dated 1964, captures a moment of chilli...
Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Drawings
Materials
Paper
The House That Waited – Original Crime Illustration by Charles Burki, 1965
Located in Langweer, NL
The House That Waited – Original Crime Illustration by Charles Burki, 1965
This gripping noir-style illustration by Charles Burki (1909–1994), signed and dated 1965, depicts a tense...
Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Drawings
Materials
Paper
“Crossing Under Fire” 1953 Original Gouache
Ink Illustration by Charles Burki
Located in Langweer, NL
Original Illustration “Crossing Under Fire” by Charles Burki, 1953 – Gouache and Ink Drawing
Powerful wartime illustration by Dutch artist Charles Burki (1909–1994), signed and date...
Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Drawings
Materials
Paper
The Phenomenon of Man - Original Gouache Illustration by Charles Burki, 1967
Located in Langweer, NL
Original Illustration “Het Verschijnsel Mens” (The Phenomenon of Man) by Charles Burki, 1967 – Gouache Painting
Vivid original gouache on board by the Dutch illustrator Charles Burk...
Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Drawings
Materials
Paper
Original 1968 Gouache “Julius” by Charles Burki – Mid-Century Dutch Art
Located in Langweer, NL
Original Illustration "Julius" by Charles Burki, 1968 – Gouache Drawing
Description:
Original 1968 illustration by Charles Burki (1909–1994), the Dutch painter and illustrator renow...
Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Drawings
Materials
Paper
Set of Four Mid-Century Business Illustrations – Charles Burki, 1956–1964
Located in Langweer, NL
Set of Four Mid-Century Business Illustrations – Charles Burki, 1956–1964
This remarkable set of four original gouache and ink illustrations by Charles Burki (1909–1994) exemplifies...
Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Drawings
Materials
Paper
You May Also Like
Quarreling Politicians - Drawing by Gabriele Galantara - Early 20th Century
By Gabriele Galantara
Located in Roma, IT
Quarreling Politicians is a modern artwork realized by Gabriele Galantara (1865-1937) in the early 20th century.
Watercolor, ink. and pencil on paper. Monogrammed on the right margi...
Category
Early 20th Century Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink, Watercolor, Pencil
The Battle - Lithograph by Fabrizio Clerici - 1984
By Fabrizio Clerici
Located in Roma, IT
The Battle is an original artwork realized by Fabrizio Clerici in 1984.
Lithograph print.
Hand-signed on the lower right margin.
Numbered on the lower left margin. Edition of 100 ...
Category
1980s Surrealist Figurative Prints
Materials
Lithograph
Satirical Lithograph by Peter Jacques "Unimportant Man" Artist Royal Academy
By Peter Jacques
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A fine ink and hand tinted etching by Peter Jacques
Little is known about Peter, he was a printmaker, working in etching and watercolor, who studied a...
Category
Vintage 1970s English Contemporary Art
Materials
Paper
Satirical Lithograph by Peter Jacques "the Devil" London Artist Royal Academy
By Peter Jacques
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A fine ink and hand tinted etching by Peter Jacques
Little is known about Peter, he was a printmaker, working in etching and watercolour, who studied ...
Category
Vintage 1970s English Contemporary Art
Materials
Paper
Simply Fabulous Transformation
, Illustration Art, Canada, Mid-20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
'Simply Fabulous Transformation' - exceptional mid-century cartoon style illustration art - gouache over graphite/colored pencil - signed (unidentified artist/maker) - unframed - Can...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Paint, Paper
Limited Edition 30/100 Lithography by Antonio Seguí, 1971
By Antonio Seguí
Located in Weesp, NL
Antonio Seguí signed and dated limited edition 30/100 lithography ' Aussi simple à régler qi un fer à repasser! ' 1971.
One of the most internationall...
Category
Vintage 1970s Argentine Expressionist Prints
Materials
Paper
