Franz Marc and the Birth of Expressionism

By William M. Martin


Franz Marc is undoubtedly one of the most well known German Expressionist artists. He is well known for his representation of animals within their natural settings. He was born in 1880 in Munich and trained at the Academy of Fine Arts also in Munich, starting 1900. He was affected by many artists such as Van Gogh and Gauguin at a very early age. His artworks were of animals, both wild and domestic, representing just what exactly was missing in the world; things such as innocence and liberation from materialism and corruption. He, by means of his art, wanted to achieve a spirituality that he could never find.

He first noticed the Impressionists on his visit to Paris, where he went to the Durand Ruel Gallery. He was entranced with the artwork of Van Gogh and Gauguin and felt that impressionism would help him and other artists obtain salvation. Franz Marc's painting exposed what was taking place in his mind. The effective use of colors in his paintings isn't just representational but also liberal. They were intended to represent the full harmony and balance of the animals with nature, something that was sadly missing at the time due to the political tension in Europe, which eventually led to The Great War.

He is perhaps most recognized for the group started by him and fellow artist Wassily Kandinsky, Der Blaue Reiter, or Blue Rider, group in Munich in 1911. It was a small group of expressionist artists who joined together to sustain, promote and showcase modern art all over Germany. The members of Der Blaue Reiter included some of the most famous painters in prewar Germany including August Macke, Gabriele Munter, Albert Bloch and Paul Klee.

Frank Marc enjoyed a very promising career, though his personal life was in shambles. He was discouraged and had a number of affairs. He even got married twice. There seemed to be some improvement in his life, thanks to Der Blaue Reiter. As a printer he even started the popular Der Blaue Reiter journal in 1911. His paintings are characterized by the brilliant and moderate use of colors. Marc was among the most influential expressionist painters. His art had started to be accepted during his lifetime among many important people. His most notable works are Tiger, Blue Horse, and The Fate of the Animals.

His life was brutally cut short due to the Great War. He was conscripted into the army in which he worked briefly painting camouflage. In a letter to his wife he wrote with regards to the painting The Fate of Animals "It is like a premonition of war, horrible and shattering." Franz Marc died at the Battle of Verdun. His name was on a report, that was meant to safeguard certain artists, however, he perished before he could be saved. His art is undoubtedly among of the best of the expressionist painters.




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