Arcade in Thun 

August Macke made this charcoal drawing, Arcade in Thun, with energetic lines which create an image of a briskly moving crowd. The arcades provide a sense of shelter, and the people, caught in quick strokes, give a glimpse into urban life in early 20th-century Switzerland. Macke was part of the German Expressionist group Der Blaue Reiter, which sought to express inner emotion through art. But, whereas other Expressionists were critical of the social world, Macke celebrated modern life. His subject matter was often leisure activities, street scenes, and everyday encounters. The rapid strokes of the charcoal might reflect the accelerated pace of modern life. Understanding the social conditions in which Macke produced his art is key to understanding its intent. His art reflects a desire to capture the vitality and sensory experience of modern, urban, middle-class life. Researching the cultural history of early 20th-century Germany and Switzerland helps to illuminate Macke’s optimism, and the way he found beauty in the everyday.