Three Horses in a Hilly Landscape 1910 - 1911

Editor: Here we have "Three Horses in a Hilly Landscape," a graphite drawing by Franz Marc, created around 1910 or 1911. The texture created by the pencil strokes feels almost frantic, and it lends a restless energy to the horses and the land around them. What formal qualities stand out to you in this piece? Curator: The most striking feature is indeed the expressive quality of the line itself. Note how Marc utilizes the graphite not merely to delineate form, but to construct the very essence of the subject. Observe the dynamic interplay of light and shadow created by the varying pressure and density of the pencil strokes. How does this contribute to the overall composition? Editor: It gives a sense of movement, I think. The landscape and the horses seem to vibrate with energy because the marks are so active. Is the use of line the key element to appreciate here? Curator: It is certainly central. The forms are not realistically rendered; rather, they are abstracted and simplified, emphasizing the underlying structure. Consider how the contours of the horses echo and interact with the lines that define the hills in the background, creating a unified, rhythmic whole. Is there a hierarchy, or do you find an equality between foreground and background? Editor: I see how the hills seem to mimic the shape of the horses’ backs. I hadn't noticed that connection before! Curator: Precisely. The formal elements—line, tone, composition—operate in concert to generate meaning. They don't simply depict; they evoke. This approach anticipates later developments in abstract expressionism, wouldn't you agree? Editor: Absolutely, seeing how Marc uses line to build both form and feeling gives me a new appreciation for his modern approach to a traditional subject. Curator: Indeed, by concentrating on intrinsic properties, such as the innovative and non-naturalistic use of line, we decode the aesthetic motivations underscoring its construction.