Fabulous Beast II 1913

Franz Marc made this painting, Fabulous Beast II, with oil on canvas, at some point in his short life. There's a real sense of movement here, like the artist was trying to capture something untamed. I can imagine Marc, mixing those earthy reds and oranges with stark blues, trying to build a new kind of form. See how the paint is applied in these angular shapes? The way he breaks down the animal into these facets reminds me a little of Picasso, but with a kind of raw, almost spiritual energy. The eye is drawn to the centre, where the beast seems to be leaping or bucking. It’s not just about depicting an animal, but conveying a feeling, an essence. It’s like he’s trying to get at some deeper truth about the animal. It’s an interesting take, pushing us to think about how painting can tap into something beyond the surface of things.