Karl sen. Burman (1882 – 1965) was a notable figure hailing from Sumy, Kharkov province. His artistic foundation was built at the esteemed Stroganov School in Moscow and furthered at the Drawing School of Baron Stieglitz. The Imperial Academy of Arts recognized his talents, offering him the opportunity to be mentored by the likes of Vasily Mate and Valentin Serov. Furthermore, he sought out further instruction from Wikler in Estonia.
By 1910, Burman’s artistic inclination pivoted towards architecture and house design. A testament to his prowess is the passage on Väike-Karja Street in Estonia’s capital. Yet, his passion was not limited to static creations. He had a penchant for traveling across Europe, soaking in diverse experiences. This love for exploration was mirrored in his art exhibitions which spanned across the Baltic cities of Tallinn, Riga, and Tartu.
Among his illustrious portfolio are watercolor masterpieces like “View of Tallinn”, “Hiuma Island”, and “Nikerjärv in Ajgviidu”. Burman’s legacy wasn’t confined within the walls of his residence in Maiden’s Tower, southwest of Tallinn. His son, Karl Karlovich Burman, and his brother, Paul Burman, both carried forward his watercolorist tradition. Karl’s life journey concluded in 1965, with his resting place at the Forest Cemetery. Today, Riosart pays homage to this Estonian artist by hosting an online sale of his paintings.
