Deer in the Snow 1911

Franz Marc painted these deer in the snow using oil on canvas. It's a world made of simplified forms and harmonious colours, more like an idea of nature than a depiction of it. Look closely, and you'll see how the snow isn't just white; it's a mix of blues and greens, giving it depth and a cool, crisp feel. The deer, rendered in warm oranges and yellows, almost glow against this backdrop, creating a sense of warmth amidst the cold. The paint looks thin and washy, like watercolour, but with an oil paint finish. Marc's brushstrokes are visible, but he’s not trying to be flashy, he lets the shapes and colours do the talking. Notice the sinuous lines of the snowdrifts and how they echo the curves of the deer's bodies. It's as if the landscape itself is alive, responding to the presence of these creatures. I think it’s interesting to consider Marc’s use of colour to convey emotion, like Matisse or Derain. Ultimately, 'Deer in the Snow' invites us to see the world not as it is, but as it could be – a place of harmony, beauty, and interconnectedness.