BÜRKEL, Heinrich
(b. 1802, Pirmasens, d. 1869, München)

Biography

German painter, best known for his work in genre landscape painting. Born in the Palatinate, the artist studied in Munich and further learned through copying 17th century Dutch landscape paintings. Taking inspiration during a number of sojourns through Italy, Bürkel turned his attention to rustic scenes in country settings. His scenes of Italian and Bavarian country life were internationally in great demand.

Bürkel's paintings strongly take their cues from their coloration. The influence of Dutch landscape painting can be seen in his use of a very low horizon and in his rejection of the ideal.