Two Horses 1913

Franz Marc created this expressive painting, entitled *Two Horses*, during a time of great artistic and social upheaval in Germany. Marc, a key figure in the German Expressionist movement known as Der Blaue Reiter, sought to convey deeper emotional and spiritual truths through his art. The early 20th century saw a break from traditional representation, as artists like Marc explored abstraction to express inner states of being. These artists were influenced by philosophical shifts that emphasized the subjective experience and the limitations of rationalism. In this piece, the choice of horses as subject matter reflects Marc’s belief in the purity and innocence of animals, an innocence he felt was lost in humanity. Marc once said he was trying to depict the world "as it might appear to a horse." The emotional intensity of the piece is conveyed through the bold use of color and form. Consider how Marc's emotional life, marked by a search for spiritual meaning, shaped his artistic vision, imbuing his work with a sense of longing for a more harmonious existence.