Stables 1913

Franz Marc painted ‘Stables’ with oil on canvas, and it’s now here at the Guggenheim Museum. At first glance, the painting presents a dynamic interplay of color and form. Notice how Marc uses bold hues and fragmented shapes to depict horses, with their forms barely discernible amidst the geometric chaos. As part of the ‘Der Blaue Reiter’ movement, Marc sought to express spiritual truths through art, and here we see the influence of early Cubism in the shattered picture plane. The structural breakdown of familiar forms suggests a deeper level of engagement with the subject, aiming to express the essence of animal existence rather than its mere appearance. The choice of color contributes to this, with each hue carrying symbolic weight. Look again at how the composition challenges fixed perspectives, creating a sense of simultaneity and multifaceted representation. Ultimately, Marc invites us to reconsider our perception of reality and recognize art as an evolving dialogue.