The Monkey 1912

Franz Marc made "The Monkey" with oil paint, and like many artists of his time, he was deeply engaged in process. Look at the way he layers color in broad strokes, kind of ignoring the traditional ideas of form. The monkey itself is not so much rendered as evoked. The physical qualities of the paint contribute so much. It’s not about hiding the brushstrokes, it’s about revelling in them. The greens and reds clash in a way that’s both unsettling and harmonious. Then there are these moments of detail, like the almost luminous quality of the monkey’s fur against the clashing colors. It really draws your eye. Marc's work reminds me a little of Matisse, that same interest in how color can evoke emotion and feeling. It shows the enduring nature of art, this conversation across time.