Pigs 1912

Franz Marc made ‘Pigs’, a 73 by 49 cm oil on canvas, sometime in his short but vibrant career. The brushwork is loose, almost gestural, as if he were sketching in paint. The colors are muted and earthy. It’s a painting about feeling rather than seeing, about instinct, a glimpse into Marc’s fascination with animals. Look at the way Marc uses color to define form; white mixed with shades of pink and grey which melt together, creating a sense of softness and warmth. The paint isn't thick, but has these translucent layers of color which create depth and volume. There’s a real sensitivity in the way he captures the curve of their bodies. A lovely, almost clumsy embrace. I’m reminded of Paula Modersohn-Becker, a fellow German artist, also interested in the simple, grounded realities of rural life. It's this shared interest in capturing a sense of something real, but maybe not something immediately visible. Ultimately, ‘Pigs’ is an image that reminds us that painting isn’t about perfect representation, but about the imperfect translation of feeling into form.