A Bison in Winter 1913

Franz Marc painted this dreamlike landscape with oil on canvas, imagining a bison in winter. I love the way he's built up the composition in layers of color. You can see blues, greens, and purples intertwining to create depth and movement. I bet he was really feeling the chill of winter when he made this! The way the paint is applied so thickly, especially in the foreground, makes me think of snowdrifts and icy patches. I can almost feel the cold radiating from the canvas. And then there's the contrast with the warm, earthy tones of the bison, huddled together for warmth. It’s like he's inviting us to consider our relationship with the natural world, to feel empathy for these magnificent creatures braving the elements. Marc's paintings always strike me as these vibrant, emotional landscapes, filled with symbolism and feeling. He was a master of color, using it to express a deep connection to the natural world. I think that Marc helps me to remember that painting is a way of thinking, of feeling, of being in the world.