Created from high-quality wood, milled with simple clean lines and presented with a satin finish. Includes an off-white mount that will not discolour or fade with age. - Simple, elegant design - Premium, fine art paper with a gently textured surface - Handmade by specialist picture framers - FSC certified off-white mat / window mount - Delivered ready for hanging

"Animal Fates (The Trees Showed Their Rings, the Animals Their Veins)" is a striking example of Franz Marc’s exploration of the natural world through a prism of emotional and symbolic intensity. Created in 1913, the painting is an embodiment of Marc’s characteristic style and philosophical inquiry into the interconnectedness of life.

Color Palette and Brushwork:
The painting utilizes a vibrant, almost neon palette of greens, blues, yellows, and reds. These colors, although bright and almost joyous in isolation, combine in a manner that conveys an underlying tension and depth. Marc uses sweeping, curved lines and almost prismatic shapes, creating an abstract yet distinctly naturalistic composition. The abstraction does not detract from the identifiable forms of animals and trees; rather, it enhances the sense of movement and the energy of life confined within this natural tableau.

Imagery and Symbolism:
Central to the composition are the animals, depicted in a highly stylized and geometric manner. Their bodies, painted with a transparency that reveals their inner veins, suggest a profound connection between the external appearance and inner essence. Similarly, the trees show their rings, a metaphorical depiction of life’s cyclical nature and the passage of time. The animals seem to be moving or perhaps struggling, hinting at themes of fate, survival, and the intrinsic bond between all living beings.

Emotional Resonance:
The painting harbors a spiritual quality, reflective of Marc’s belief in the sanctity of the animal kingdom and his perception of animals possessing a pure, soulful essence. There is a duality in the work: a celebration of nature’s beauty and its inevitable suffering, possibly alluding to the looming devastation of World War I, a period during which Marc was personally impacted.

Franz Marc:
Franz Marc (1880-1916) was a prominent German painter and printmaker, a key figure in the German Expressionist movement. He co-founded the artistic group Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider) with Wassily Kandinsky, and his work is characterized by a deep affinity for and philosophical inquiry into nature and animals. Marc’s oeuvre often showcases his attempt to transcend human perspective and enter into the emotional and spiritual being of animals.

Artistic Movements:
"Animal Fates" sits firmly within the frameworks of German Expressionism and the Blaue Reiter movement. The painting’s abstract forms and vivid colors are typical of Expressionism, conveying emotional content over realistic depiction. The spiritual and symbolic dimensions resonate with the broader goals of the Blaue Reiter, seeking to explore the mystical aspects of art and its potential to express deeper truths.

Historical Context:
Created in 1913, "Animal Fates" comes from Marc's mature period, during which he was increasingly preoccupied with themes of destiny and the interconnectedness of life. This period was marked by the approaching catastrophe of World War I. Franz Marc himself was later drafted into the German army and tragically killed in 1916, making his later works particularly poignant.

Current Location:
The original painting is housed in the Kunstmuseum Basel in Switzerland, where it is part of a significant collection of modern art. It serves as a vital asset of the museum, reflecting influential movements in early 20th-century European art.

- Symbolic Layers: The painting’s title, "The Trees Showed Their Rings, the Animals Their Veins," reinforces the intimate connection and vulnerability shared by all living beings. This notion is echoed visually in the meticulous way Marc reveals the inner life of trees and animals.
- Technical Mastery: Marc’s use of color and line is not merely to create form but to evoke emotion and spiritual depth. The interplay between the abstraction and figuration is masterfully balanced to maintain recognition while evoking an otherworldly quality.
- Philosophical Underpinnings: The work reflects Marc’s ongoing quest to portray the soul of the natural world, untainted by human influence. His belief in a cosmic harmony among living entities is profoundly visualized in this painting.

In summary, "Animal Fates" is a testament to Franz Marc’s philosophical musings, innovative color theory, and contribution to German Expressionism, encapsulating the precarious beauty and fate of the natural world on the brink of a destructive epoch.