#35777 Franz Marc (1880-1916)

The canvas presents two equine figures rendered in a highly stylized and expressive manner. Here we observe a departure from naturalistic representation; instead, the artist prioritizes conveying emotional intensity through color and form. The horses are not depicted with anatomical accuracy but rather as simplified volumes defined by bold outlines and planes of intense hue.
One horse is predominantly red, its posture suggesting alertness or perhaps apprehension. Its head is raised, and the musculature appears taut, contributing to a sense of dynamism. The second animal, rendered in shades of blue, seems more withdrawn, with its head lowered as if in contemplation or fatigue. This contrast in posture immediately establishes a visual dialogue between the two figures.
The background is equally abstract, composed of large blocks of color – yellows, greens, and reds – that do not function as a realistic landscape but rather as an emotional environment. These colors are applied with broad strokes, creating a sense of movement and instability. The lack of depth perception further enhances the painting’s flattened quality, directing focus to the interaction between the horses and their immediate surroundings.
The color choices themselves carry symbolic weight. Red often signifies vitality, passion, or even danger, while blue can evoke feelings of melancholy, introspection, or serenity. The juxtaposition of these colors amplifies the emotional complexity of the scene. It is possible that the artist intended to explore themes of duality – perhaps contrasting strength and vulnerability, action and reflection, or perhaps simply presenting two distinct states of being.
The overall impression is one of powerful emotion conveyed through a deliberate distortion of form and an unconventional use of color. The work seems less concerned with depicting a specific narrative than with expressing a profound emotional state – a feeling of unease, tension, or perhaps even a primal connection to the natural world.