Three Animals 1912

Franz Marc created this woodcut, titled "Three Animals," during a period of immense social and artistic change in Germany. Marc, deeply affected by the traumas of World War I, sought solace and truth in the natural world, a perspective that strongly influenced his work. The print depicts a horse, fox and deer, rendered in stark black and white, their forms simplified and geometric. Marc was interested in the emotional and spiritual qualities of animals, viewing them as purer and more authentic than humans. In this way, Marc's decision to portray animals could be interpreted as a commentary on the failings and corruptions of human society. "Art is nothing but an expression of our dream; the more we surrender to it the closer we get to the inner truth of things, our dream-life, the true life that scorns questions and does not see them," Marc once said. As you stand here, consider how Marc, through his portrayal of animals, challenges traditional notions of beauty and invites you to see the world through a different lens.