| Franz Marc, the admired German Expressionist | | | | by 'Cubism' and 'Futurism,' a year later, Franz |
| and the son of a landscape painter, Wilhelm and | | | | advanced to landscapes and abstract art forms. |
| Sophie, a Calvinist, was born in Munich, Germany | | | | His career soon ended on March 04, 1916, on the |
| on February 8, 1880. As a youngster, Franz Marc | | | | battlefield at Verdun during the First World War. |
| aspired to be a priest. He also tried his hands at | | | | He was all of 36 years when he died, but had |
| philosophy, but later stirred towards artistry, | | | | already canvassed some legendary painting for us |
| especially painting and printmaking. | | | | to admire. |
| In 1900, Franz enrolled himself in the Munich | | | | Franz Marc's works often reflect the spiritual bond |
| Academy of Fine Arts. In his first trip to Paris in | | | | between nature and animals, particularly horses. |
| 1903, he was impressed with the works of | | | | His work is characterized by the generous use of |
| Vincent Van Gogh and Henri Rousseau. | | | | bright primary colors, a 'Cubist' depiction of |
| Thereafter, Marc made frequent trips to Paris | | | | animals, downright simplicity, and an intense sense |
| until 1907. In 1910, the artist made friends with | | | | of emotion. One of Franz's famous paintings is the |
| August Macke. In 1911, Franz Marc founded the | | | | "Tierschicksale (Animal Destinies or the Fate of |
| 'Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider)' circle of artists | | | | the Animals)," which he completed in 1913, and is |
| along with Wassily Kandinsky. Soon, Macke, | | | | now at exposition at the Basel Kunstmuseum. |
| Gabriele Münter, Alexeji Jawlensky, and | | | | The artist also has sixty prints in woodcut and |
| other artists also joined the Der Blaue Reiter. | | | | lithography to his credit. "Fighting Forms (1914)" |
| Franz's first Der Blaue Reiter exhibition was at the | | | | was Marc's last painting, which clearly indicated |
| Thannhauser Galleries in Munich, from December | | | | that he had abandoned figural painting. |
| 1911 to January 1912. The exhibition was also | | | | "Pferd in der Landschaft," "Gelbe Kuh," "Little |
| displayed at Berlin, Köln, Hagen, and | | | | Yellow Horses," "Two Cats," and "Deer in the |
| Frankfurt. | | | | Forest I" are a few of his many valuable pieces. |
| Franz Marc met Delaunay's in 1912, and was | | | | In 1998, more than a few of Marc's paintings |
| significantly influenced by his works, | | | | earned record prices at Christie's art auction |
| vis-à-vis his color techniques and 'Futurism.' | | | | house in London. "Rote Rehe I (Red Deer I)" and |
| He once said that, "the irreligious humanity which | | | | "Der Wasserfall (The Waterfall)" are two of the |
| lived all around me did not excite my true feelings, | | | | record- breaking paintings that were sold at |
| whereas the virgin feeling for life of the animal | | | | $3.30m and $5.06m, respectively. |
| world set alight everything good in me." Inspired | | | | |