Tiger by Franz Marc

Franz Marc's painting Der Tiger, or The Tiger, is perhaps one of the best examples of his typical style

The symbolic use of bold, primary colours to evoke strong emotions in the viewer while the strong black shadows and outlines create a profound sense of tension.

It is Marc's stunning use of bold yellow and thick black lines that not only separate the great cat from the rocky background, but which also seem to make the tiger almost leap from the canvas.

The tiger's body is taut; his eyes, sharp as they land on the target of its coming attack. It is as though something or someone has disturbed the animal at his resting place high upon a rock, and we are seeing him in the moment before a fierce attack.

The sense of impending violence created in The Tiger are a departure from some of Marc's previous works. The sweetness, security, and contentment in paintings such as Cat on a Yellow Pillow, or Dog Lying in the Snow are absent here, replaced by a portrait of the brutal aggression that exists out in the wild.

Tiger is one of many fascinating Marc paintings from 1912. It was during this time that Franz Marc became attracted to cubism and futuristic style. These had a strong influence on all of his works created during that year, as well as many other pieces as he progressed in his artistic career.

As we give careful examination to The Tiger, we can clearly see the impact that fellow painters such as Paul Cezanne and cubist Pablo Picasso had on Franz Marc's work. This influence marked a dramatic creative turn for Marc. However, his use of strong primary colours to communicate an emotional language throughout his work remained, as did his captivating animal subjects.