Burkhart Gallery

'The Silver Samovar'

Oil on canvas, 30 x 20 in. Signed and dated 1954, upper left.

Price on Request

This important still-life painting was executed during his best period (1940–1955). Here, he focuses on the material wealth of the United States and how decadence and wretched excess will lead our nation to cede its position as the most powerful country in the world. A student of history, Burkhart sees similarities in the fall of other great empires that preceded the U.S., such as the Greeks, Romans, Spanish, British, and others.

The urn and crystal goblet serve as metaphors for wealth and privilege, while surrounded by rotting fruit, cigarette butts, matchsticks, and old coins. These represent an uncertain future while sending a stern warning that we must change our ways or be prepared for the unvarnished reality that awaits us.

This work is one of about a dozen large-scale paintings addressing this theme that are considered among his finest and most important contributions to American Art. This is a rare and important painting, worthy of the best collections of Regionalist American art.

He arranged this still-life in his Woodland Ave. dining room, with its unmistakable large oak door in the background. There are 19 paint stripes on the verso that represent the number of sessions Burkhart invested in this painting.

'The Silver Samovar'

Oil on canvas, 30 x 20 in. Signed and dated 1954, upper left.

Price on Request

This work is one of about a dozen large-scale paintings addressing this theme that are considered among his finest and most important contributions to American art. This is a rare and important painting, worthy of the best collections of Regionalist American art.

'Woman in New Delhi'

Oil on canvas, 40 x 26 in. Signed lower right. (Estate stamped)

Price: $1,000

This elegant portrait of a young Indian woman in traditional dress was painted by Burkhart during his overseas trip with the International School of America in 1965. Burkhart wrapped these canvases and sent them back to his home in Columbus to be touched up and framed for sale in his infamous open house sales to the public. Upon his death, this painting became the property of his heir, Karl Jaeger, and was estate stamped by his assistant, Elizabeth “Tibbi” Johnson. It was sold in the 1980’s to a family that is now offering the work to interested collectors.

Emerson Burkhart – ‘Green House with Red and Orange Trim’

Oil on board, 20 x 24 in. Signed lower right, E Burkhart Oct. ‘55’. Excellent condition.

Price: $5,500

1955 was a difficult year for Burkhart. His wife, Mary Ann, was dying of cancer and eventually passed away in October of that year. As she moved closer to death, Burkhart did his best to get out of the house and paint daily in order to keep his sanity and emotions in check. This is one of the last paintings he created in the days prior to Mary Ann’s passing. Take notice of the figures who seem oblivious to the ills of the world… just interacting in their neighborhood. This house was unique in its color scheme and attracted the interest of at least one other artist, Roman Johnson, who also painted it around the same time as Burkhart.

Emerson Burkhart - 'East Main at Champion'

24 x 30 in. Oil on canvas, signed lower right, E. Burkhart 69.′ Excellent condition

Price: $4,500

Here is one of Burkhart’s last larger street scenes, painted just months prior to his death in 1969. This was one of his favorite areas of town in which to paint. Foot traffic and commerce are depicted here, with the pizza restaurant, Oakley Cleaners, and many pedestrians who are going about their business. This outstanding example of his work is painted in a bright palette and would be an excellent addition to any Burkhart collection.

Emerson Burkhart – 'Paris in Spring'

17 1/2 x 24 in. Oil on canvas, signed lower left, “E.B. Paris ’60. Excellent condition

Price: $2,995

Burkhart painted in many great cities around the world, including Paris. During his ISA (International School of America) trip to France in 1960, he captured the essence of the city—its hustle and bustle along with the distinctive architecture that is so unique to the French capital. The work is well-balanced and expressive, with his bold treatment of the trees and confident handling of the palette knife used to create this wonderful painting. We have not seen many works produced in France by Burkhart. Please consider this great painting for your collection. Excellent condition.

'The Tree'

Watercolor on Arches paper, 20 x 22 in. Signed lower left.

Price: $1,750

Like many artists, Burkhart was deeply attached to nature. He was drawn to subjects that were out of the ordinary and overlooked by many. He saw beauty where others saw nothing more than a twisted, dead tree stump.

'Late Fall Farm'

Watercolor on Arches paper, 16 x 22 in. Signed upper right.

Price: $1,450

This is a wonderful rendering of a Central Ohio farm. Burkhart was fond of scenes such as this. They took him back to his childhood in Kalida, Ohio, where he grew up on his family’s farm.

Emerson Burkhart – 'View from My Window'

Oil on Masonite, 14 x 14 in. Signed and dated lower right, 1950.

Price: $2,750

Burkhart was proud of his residence at 223 Woodland Ave. in Columbus and had many friends among his neighbors. He also enjoyed the mixture of architecture found in the area. This painting of a home across the street from his residence is atypical and rare as it was painted in winter, a season in which he seldom painted. He considered this time an opportunity to relax and recharge his creative energy for the painting season to come.

Emerson Burkhart – 'Farm in the Country'

Watercolor on Arches paper, 8 ½ x 11 ½ in. Signed lower left.

Price: $750

Burkhart devoted much of his career to explore themes of rural life outside of Columbus. Landscapes such as farms, farm animals and country homes were of particular interest to him as they reminded the artist of his roots growing up on his family farm in Northwest Ohio. These were touch points to him of the importance of our agrarian culture, even in the midst of rapid urbanization and a more industrialized economy in post – WW II America.

Emerson Burkhart – 'Eastside - Columbus'

Oil on canvas, 20 x 30 in. Signed and dated lower right, ’69.

Price: $3,250

Perhaps best known and most loved for his Central Ohio scenes depicting everyday life, Burkhart favored the streets and alleys of the changing neighborhoods close to where he lived.

Emerson Burkhart – 'Self-Portrait – The Bank Teller'

16 x 12 in. Oil on board, unsigned. Title on verso, circa 1957.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Burkhart was his “favorite model,” always there and always cheap! By his own count, he estimated by the early 1960s that he had likely painted his likeness on more than 400 occasions. Several times, most notably during the 1950s, Burkhart would fancy himself as some other character in self-portraits such as these. They included the Pugilist, the Thinker, the Sheriff, the Bank Teller, and others.

Robert O. Chadeayne, 'Spring'

24 x 30, oil on canvas, signed lower right.

Price: $1,295

Chadeayne was from Columbus, Ohio, and had a long career as a noted painter and member of the faculty at Ohio State University. He studied at the Art Students League in New York City with George Luks. George Bellows often provided criticisms of his and other students’ work. Additionally, he served as a monitor for John Sloan. He was close personal friends with Edward Hopper and Alexander Calder. He often spent his summers painting in New England and in upstate New York, where he was born and raised. This piece depicts a local stream in Cornwall, New York, and was exhibited at the National Academy of Design. Excellent condition. He was recognized with solo exhibitions at the Columbus Gallery of Fine Arts in 1973 and at Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio, in 1974. Chadeayne’s work can be found in the collections of many museums, including the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Butler Institute of American Art, and the Columbus Museum of Art.

Emerson Burkhart – 'Fox Hunt'

Undated, 21 x 14 in. Watercolor, signed E.C. Burkhart, lower right.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Small water spot just below top center. Not examined out of the frame. Excellent condition.

Emerson Burkhart – 'Hong Kong Harbor'

1965, 24 x 36 in. Oil on canvas, signed lower left.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

This wonderful painting captures the hot, thick, humid air and the breathtaking vista of the mountains surrounding Hong Kong. The pastel hues are thoughtfully chosen, creating a scene that one never tires of viewing. Excellent condition.

Emerson Burkhart – 'Farm on the River'

1941 verso, but likely painted earlier, 12 x 16 in. Oil on canvas, signed lower left.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Like many young artists, Burkhart spent time early in his career experimenting with different styles. This work is a prime example. An inscription on the back indicates it was given to Paul Yeager by Burkhart in 1942 and notes it was “painted in class.” At the time, Burkhart was painting independently, so the inscription does not refer to a literal class setting. Excellent condition.

Emerson Burkhart – 'Poe Phantasy'

circa 1930’s, 24 x 30 in. Oil on canvas, signed verso.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Many of Burkhart’s works from this period are allegorical in nature, reflecting his partial influence from Renaissance art. During this stage of his career, he often favored themes celebrating human achievement and mankind’s potential to improve life for all. This focus is particularly evident in his WPA-commissioned Stillman Hall murals at Ohio State University, which feature notable figures from literature, science, politics, and exploration. A lifelong learner and avid reader, Burkhart maintained an extensive personal library and had a particular fondness for the works of Edgar Allan Poe. Paintings from the 1930s are rarely seen on the market, making this piece an exceptional and rare example of his work. Excellent condition.

Emerson Burkhart –'Hoover Lake'

18 x 24 in. Oil on board, signed lower right.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

This bright piece is typical of Burkhart’s outdoor scenes painted in the last few years of his life. He spent much of the decade of the ’60’s interpreting a variety of landscapes throughout Delaware County, one of his favorite locales.

Emerson Burkhart – 'Finale', 1969

11 x 14 in. Oil on canvas, signed lower left.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

One of his last paintings completed prior to his death in 1969, ‘finale’ is a colorful study of a Canadian sunset in late August produced solely with Palette knife. Excellent condition.

Emerson Burkhart – 'Mexican Seascape'

32 x 44 in. Oil on canvas, signed lower left, ‘E Burkhart ‘65’.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Burkhart chose on several occasions to escape the cold Columbus winters and travel to Mexico to paint. He loaded his car with all the canvas and other supplies he would need and drove for many days to reach his destination. Once there, the warm sunshine, multiple vistas, and majestic colors inspired him to paint the Mexican landscape as he saw it. This exceptionally large and colorful seascape depicts an area likely along the west coast of Mexico, not far from Guadalajara, further inland. Photographs do not do this painting justice as it simply jumps off the canvas when viewed in person.

Emerson Burkhart – 'Man from Calcutta', 1959

16 x 20 in. Oil on board, signed lower right.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

This painting was made during Burkhart’s first overseas with the international school of America. It demonstrates his proficiency at portraiture, capturing the personality and character of this poor peasant. Excellent condition.

Emerson Burkhart – ‘Self-Portrait in Red Shirt'

1968, 20 x 24 in. Oil on canvas, signed upper right. Excellent condition.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

It is well known that Burkhart painted hundreds of self-portraits. However, this is a larger version than many, and one in which he has done an excellent job of capturing the pensive side of his personality. This is an especially striking painting and an excellent investment at this price.

Robert O. Chadeayne, 'Still Life of Conch Shell and Book'

13 x 15, oil on canvas, signed lower right.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

This is a very nice painting by Columbus artist Robert Chadeayne and a great value for a work such as this. Chadeayne’s paintings are receiving more interest today as they appear in both regional and national touring exhibitions, including Regional Dialect, paintings from the John and Susan Horseman Collection. This particular piece came from the collection of noted Columbus artist Chester Nicodemus. His personal label is affixed to both the canvas and stretcher verso. It is not known whether Nicodemus was gifted this painting or purchased it from his good friend Chadeayne.

Emerson Burkhart –'Canadian Indian Family – Ontario'

40 x 50 in. Oil on canvas, estate stamped.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

This is a rare opportunity to own one of Burkhart’s final and most vibrant large-format paintings, completed just weeks before the stroke that claimed his life in 1969. During that summer, he spent time painting and fishing in Ontario while staying with the Wikemikong family, whom he had befriended several years earlier. A whimsical detail in this work is the reflection of their teenage daughter in the mirror on the far right side of the composition. The painting is in excellent condition and ready to hang.

Emerson Burkhart –'Summer Morning at Hoover Reservoir'

1968, 36 x 48 in. Oil on canvas, signed lower right, Excellent condition.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

This exceptionally large painting by Burkhart captures the humidity and stillness of a sultry summer morning in Central Ohio. Hoover Reservoir and other locations around Delaware County frequently inspired him to set up his easel and paint. Burkhart often spoke of his love for the scenery in this area, noting that despite the many remarkable locales he visited as a world traveler, none gave him the comfort he felt in Delaware County. His attachment was so deep that he directed his ashes to be spread across the lake—just a hundred yards or so from where he painted this very scene.

Emerson Burkhart – 'Edwardian Lady'

36 x 26 in. Oil on board, signed lower right.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

This is an unusual Burkhart, probably painted in the 1940s. The style is atypical and represents one of the few pieces he produced in this manner. This is a rare opportunity for Burkhart collectors to own a truly unique painting. Excellent condition.

Emerson Burkhart –'Mediterranean Coastal Scene'

24 x 29 in. Oil on canvas, estate stamped verso w/ inventory #168. Excellent condition.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

This luminous interpretation of the Mediterranean coast exemplifies the works Burkhart produced while traveling as artist-in-residence with the International School of America. From 1959 through the mid-1960s, he visited numerous ports of call throughout the region, often remarking on the exceptional quality of light and the inspiration it provided for his vibrant palette and expressive style.

Emerson Burkhart – 'Mediterranean Harbor Scene'

32 x 40 in. Oil on canvas, signed lower left.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

This large harbor scene is a well-executed painting completed while traveling with the International School of America. Burkhart was the artist-in-residence on this trip in 1963, as well as on several others during the decade of the 1960s.

Emerson Burkhart – 'Portrait of a Young Lady'

29 x 21 in. Oil on canvas, signed lower left.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Burkhart was known to ask students traveling with him during ISA overseas trips to pose for portraits. This attractive young lady did so at one of the more exotic locales on their itinerary.

Emerson Burkhart –'Japanese School Girls '

24 x 30 in. Oil on canvas, signed lower right.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

This important Burkhart painting does a superb job of capturing the structured essence of Japanese culture. Painted while on the ISA tour in 1965, the piece depicts young ladies in matching uniforms walking in formation down a road. Their school may well be the building situated on the hillside in the center background.

Emerson Burkhart –'North Africa Park Scene'

32 x 40 in. Oil on canvas, signed lower right.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Of all the exotic locales Burkhart visited during his overseas travels, one of his favorites was North Africa. This piece was most likely executed in either Tunis or Cairo in 1963. It is especially colorful and full of energy. The whimsical nature of Burkhart fully presents itself in this work. If you look closely at the bark of the tree, you will notice that he “carved” his initials into the trunk by signing the painting.

Emerson Burkhart –'Sunny Day on a Country Road'

10 x 14 in. Oil on panel, signed lower left.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

This is a thoroughly delightful and highly desirable Burkhart street scene. He has adeptly captured the milky, hazy atmosphere of a Central Ohio summer day. You can almost feel the dust from the gravel road and the sun beating down on your brow. Burkhart painted many of his better street scenes during the 1950s, and although this work is not dated, it was most likely created during that period.

Emerson Burkhart – 'Shelter House at Hoover'

18 x 30 in. Oil on canvas, estate stamped, unframed.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

This painting depicts one of several park areas around the lake in the autumn of the year.

Emerson Burkhart – 'Mediterranean Street Scene'

36 x 29 in. Oil on canvas, signed lower right.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Roman Johnson – 'Still Life of Pots'

1996, 11 x 14, oil on canvas, signed lower right, roman ’96.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Emerson Burkhart – ‘Canadian Indian Family’

1969, 30 x 40 in. Oil on canvas, signed lower right.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Emerson Burkhart - 'Chinese Woman'

1959, 18 x 21 in. Oil on canvas, signed lower left.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Here is another important Burkhart work painted on his first trip overseas with the International School of America. This painting was also exhibited in the Burkhart retrospective exhibition at the Columbus Gallery of Fine Arts in 1970 and is catalogued as number 107. Excellent condition.

Emerson Burkhart – ‘Fall Landscape Near Shadeville OH’

1968, 20 x 40 in. Oil on canvas, signed lower right.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Here is a wonderfully executed landscape full of fall color painted south of Columbus. The painting is in excellent condition.

Emerson Burkhart - 'Self Portrait in Blue'

Undated, 22 x 14 in. Oil on canvas, signed lower left. Excellent condition.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Emerson Burkhart – 'Madrid'

#167 estate stamped verso, 25 x 30 in. Oil on canvas, signed lower right. Excellent condition.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Emerson Burkhart – 'Canary Islands'

March 8, 1963 on verso, 36 x 30 in. Oil on canvas, signed and dated lower right. Excellent condition.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Emerson Burkhart – ‘Bright Day’

1956, 40 x 44 in. Oil on canvas, signed lower left.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Emerson Burkhart – 'New Delhi Encampment'

undated, 30 x 34 in. Oil on canvas, signed lower right. Excellent condition.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Emerson Burkhart – 'Hong Kong Slums'

1959, 15 x 18 in. Oil on canvas.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Although unsigned and undated, this piece was a study for the larger signed and dated Hong Kong Slums, likely produced the same day. It is a nearly identical smaller version and will be accompanied by a photograph of the larger signed painting, as well as a letter documenting the piece as an original Burkhart. Excellent condition.

Emerson Burkhart – 'Maggie Haddock'

1966, 36 x 24 in. Oil on canvas.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Maggie was a student on the International School of America’s study abroad program in 1966. She posed for Burkhart while the students were in Warsaw, Poland. This example is well executed and in excellent condition.

Emerson Burkhart – 'St. Mary's of the Springs'

20 x 20 in. Watercolor, signed twice lower left, Emerson C. Burkhart. Excellent condition.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Emerson Burkhart – ‘Study for Mural Scene’

Watercolor on paper, 22 x 16 in. Signed lower right. Excellent condition.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Like other artists of the Great Depression, Burkhart was always working to land WPA mural commissions. Throughout this process, he would experiment with a variety of themes. This work was likely painted in the mid-1930s and may be tied to the large mural that once covered the proscenium of the stage at Central High School in Columbus. Burkhart toyed with the notion of ascension after death and, for reasons unknown, included the communist symbol of the hammer and sickle within this study. It may have been a witty way for him to express his agnostic point of view in a work of art. As a practical matter, there was certainly no way the WPA would have supported this concept in any commission under their control. It is a rare work and highly desirable.

Emerson Burkhart - ‘Three Children Street Scene’

10 x 14 in. Oil on board, signed lower right, “Emerson Burkhart’. Circa early 1950’s Excellent condition

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

We have seen many well-executed street scenes by Burkhart, but this one is a gem and was also painted during the period when he was producing some of his most important work. The detail he chose to depict in this scene is amazing. This is clearly one of the hardscrabble neighborhoods in Columbus. The emerging greens used in the foreground suggest this is a late winter or early spring scene. This is a great opportunity to own a superb smaller street scene at a very reasonable price.

Emerson Burkhart – 'Self-Portrait Outdoors at Easel'

16 1/4 x 14 in. Oil on canvas, signed lower left, ‘Emerson C. Burkhart’. Dated July 23, 1952, “Relativity” ECB – with four session stripes verso. Excellent condition.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

As many know, Burkhart was his own favorite model because, “I am always here and always cheap!” He depicted himself in as many as 400 paintings over the course of his career as an artist. This is a nice example of a work that he thought enough of at the time to actually title, “Relativity.” The colors are vibrant, and the fact that it was loosely painted anticipates his style most prevalent in the late 1950s and ’60s. It is in excellent condition and ready to hang.

Emerson Burkhart – ‘Thai Man’

Oil on canvas, 20 x 18 in. Signed lower left. Excellent condition.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

During Burkhart’s first trip overseas with the ISA in 1959, he found two subjects in Bangkok who agreed to pose for him. One portrait was of a woman with child, a powerful painting that was included in the Burkhart retrospective exhibition at the Columbus Gallery of Fine Arts in 1970. The other is this work, and it may be the husband of the aforementioned woman with child.

Emerson Burkhart – 'University Building'

16 x 20 in. Oil on cardboard, signed lower left.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Burkhart painted a variety of dwellings, from tenement housing and wood-frame homes to store fronts, among other subjects of this genre. The consignor has said this particular work was painted at a local university, but we cannot positively identify the building or location. The style depicted in this work suggests it was painted during the late 1940s or early 1950s. It is in excellent condition.

Emerson Burkhart – 'At the Beach', 1955

9 x 12 in. Oil on board.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

This small gem is representative of Burkhart’s ability to render figures with a minimum amount of paint and knife strokes. Burkhart is best known for his figurative street scenes. Excellent condition.

Emerson Burkhart - 'Dirt Road at Hoover Dam' 1968

18 x 24 in. Oil on board, signed lower left, E Burkhart and verso, E. Burkhart 13 Oct. 68. Excellent condition

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Burkhart loved painting in Delaware County, and especially at Hoover Reservoir. He could frequently be found painting colorful autumn landscapes, as this painting depicts. We have handled several of Burkhart’s autumn-motif paintings. This is one of the most colorful examples we have seen in recent years, and it comes in one of his signature homemade frames.

Emerson Burkhart – ‘Still Life of Basket with Fruit’

Oil on canvas, 18 x 24 in. Signed lower right. Excellent condition.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Burkhart found joy in the simplest of subjects. If they were readily available around his home, colorful, or with other aesthetic value, they were fair game for his canvas. This is a delightful and well-rendered painting that would be a nice addition to any collection of Burkhart works.

Emerson Burkhart - 'U.S. Capitol - Washington'

Oil on canvas, 32 x 36 in. Signed lower right. Excellent condition.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Burkhart began his global trip as artist-in-residence with the International School of America (ISA) on their first stop in Washington, D.C. During this inaugural trip in 1959, he took time to paint the U.S. Capitol from a vantage point to the northeast of the building. The dome was undergoing restoration, as were some of the grounds around Capitol Hill. This is a grand portrait of the home of our nation’s democratic republic. The work is presented in its original Burkhart-made frame.

Next to the painting is a rare image of Burkhart as he completed this work. This is a unique opportunity to see what the artist saw as he composed this fine painting. The painting is fresh to the market and was purchased by a friend of the artist and passed down to his daughter. It has never been seen by the public and is now available for the first time, at an exceptional price.