Colorful Flowers (Abstract Forms) 1914

Franz Marc made this colourful, abstract painting on paper, probably in the early 1900s. Look at how he approaches mark-making; everything feels immediate. He is not trying to ‘capture’ flowers, but to create a feeling, almost like a memory of flowers. You can see the texture of the paper and the layering of colour. The paint is thin and transparent in places, allowing the light to come through. The blue curves at the bottom really pop. I love how the brushstrokes are visible, it feels like you are right there in the studio with him. Look at the small, white petals peeking through the centre, they are so delicate. Marc’s exploration of colour and form reminds me a little of Kandinsky, but with a more grounded, earthy feel. Ultimately, this painting is an invitation to see the world in a new way, to find beauty in abstraction, and to embrace the ambiguity of art.