Dog Lying in the Snow c. 1911

Franz Marc made this oil painting, *Dog Lying in the Snow*, at some point, we don't know exactly when. Look at how the dog is formed from planes of yellow and green. It's like Marc is building the dog out of light and shadow, and in doing so, creates a real sense of depth. The texture of the paint is smooth, and each colour is distinct and luminous. See how the dog almost blends into the snow, yet the blues and greens around its form also make it stand out? The painting has a lovely softness and a quiet energy. It feels like Marc isn't just painting a dog, he's trying to capture a feeling, a sense of peace and belonging. I’m reminded of Marsden Hartley's animal paintings, in that there's a similar effort to find the spiritual in the everyday, especially through the portrayal of animals. But while Hartley could be quite melancholic, Marc feels more optimistic, almost utopian. For me, painting is about this kind of search, too, that it's always provisional and never fully resolved.