Cast of International Characters

Who ever said, “a portrait in you house is like having someone come visit,” knew what he or she was talking about. Just take a look at this cast of international characters guaranteed to create that special kind of atmosphere and a real topic for conversation. They would come visit the Burg House and stay for anywhere from six months to a year. OK, yes. They have appeared in my dreams from time to time.



Untitled Portrait Study, Woman with Lace, 12x16, Oil on Canvas Panel, Unframed, Unsigned by Dick Burg, Courtesy of Peter Burg.









The Cold War was hot and heavy in the sixties and it seems this Russian in red was a spy. Unfortunately, he was in a rather pacifist household. Doctor Zhivago came out in 1965 and possibly had an influence. Dick was classified 4F during World War II on account of his poor eyes sight and the fact that he was a family man.




Untitled Portrait of Bald Man, 12x16, Oil on Canvas Panel, Unframed, Unsigned by Dick Burg, Courtesy of Peter Burg.






Untitled Portrait Profile of Bald Man, 12x16, Oil on Canvas Panel, Unframed, Signed by Burg, Courtesy of Peter Burg.


These portraits range from late fifties to late sixties.















Lawrence of Arabia (1962) may have been the movie that inspired these variances, but then again, Dick took classes and there were always actor/models available for all studios. After all, this was California and Hollywood and the movies studios were just a stone-throw away.



Untitled, Portrait, Man in Turban, Oil on Canvas Panel, 16x20, Framed, Signed by Dick Burg, Courtesy of Peter Burg,











Untitled Man with Turban, 20x24, Oil on Canvas Masonite, Unframed, Signed by Dick Burg, Courtesy of Peter Burg.
















#47, Lincoln Man O., 24x30, Oil on Canvas-Masonite, Unframed, Signed by Dick Burg, Courtesy of Peter Burg.




















The United Fruit Company was making strides in South America and Cuba and in the early sixties a Chiguita Banana commercial was the rage on T.V. with a Carmen Miranda like diva parading around with bananas on her head.
Two of my mother's siblings, brother Mike and sister Faffy worked with their families for United Fruit Company during the fifties and sixties.


Untitled Portrait Study Woman with Hat Wrap in Orange and Reds, 20x24, Oil on Gesso Canvas Masonite, Unsigned by Dick Burg, Courtesy of Peter Burg.