Cats 1910

Franz Marc's "Cats" is an oil on canvas painting that captures a tender moment between creatures entwined in sleep. The brushwork is so lively, each stroke loaded with feeling, it’s like Marc is building the forms out of pure energy. Check out how the colours aren't just descriptive; they’re emotional. The red underneath the cats isn’t just a blanket, it’s a pulse, and the blues and greens surrounding them aren’t just foliage, they’re the cool peace of the natural world enveloping the animals. Look closely, and you see how Marc uses thick, almost sculptural paint to define the cats' forms. The lines aren’t just lines, they're like pathways of connection between the animals, each one building up the composition like a loving embrace. Looking at this piece I’m reminded of Paula Modersohn-Becker, and the way she painted the world around her, with a similar raw honesty.