The First Animals 1913

Franz Marc made this small painting, The First Animals, with oil on canvas at an unknown date. It’s such a colorful painting—look at the palette of blues, purples, and reds! It’s like Marc was trying to capture the essence, the very soul, of these creatures, rather than just painting what he saw. The paint is applied so freely and expressively, with bold strokes that give the animals a sense of energy and movement. I can imagine Marc standing in front of the canvas, brush in hand, letting his intuition guide him. He must have been so committed to connecting with the animal's essence, thinking about how he could express this feeling through color and form. His work reminds me a little of Kandinsky, another artist who was interested in the spiritual qualities of color and form. This canvas feels like an exploration—Marc wasn't trying to define anything but rather explore what might be possible. The painting feels open and alive.