Resting Horses by Franz Marc

Resting Horses is one of Marc's more classical paintings, which depict 4 horses resting in different positions. Marc looks as though he has strategically placed the horses to show their relaxed, almost lethargic stances.

The colours chosen are also a prominent feature of this painting: white for the horses; a deep blue to show shadow and contrast and light/dark greens depicting the grass they are laid on. True to form, the colours are extremely stark and bold' they show the mood and feeling of the horses as the resting.

The white shows the horses prominence, which is demarcated against the verdant and lush green background, whilst the blue shows the innocence and humble appearance of the horse and their at- oneness with their landscape.

Marc made over 60 prints in printing and lithography formats. Many of paintings display animals in their original habitats. His work is punctuated by his use of primary colour, which many say is a cubist portrayal of animals. His work also conveys stark simplicity and distinct senses and emotions.

Throughout his artistic life, he was attracting interest from a range of movements, who found his use of colour and mood astonishing. Marc gave meaning to the primary colours he used and almost told the story of the painting through the shades used.

Franz Marc was a German printmaker and painter, who was born in 1880 and sadly died at the height of the First World War in 1916.

Interestingly, he was one of the leading lights in the German Expressionist movement at the start of the 20th century.

He was one of the founder members of the group Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider), whose almanac became synonymous with the painters/artists who were involved in contributing to it. His father was a professional landscape artist and this inspired Marc to create masterpieces of his own.