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

"Landscape with Animals," painted in 1913 by the German Expressionist Franz Marc, is a vibrant and dynamic example of the artist's innovative approach to color, form, and thematic content. This painting, also known under its German title "Tiere in der Landschaft," is illustrative of Marc's deep engagement with nature and his philosophical exploration of the relationships between animals and their environments.

At first sight, "Landscape with Animals" is a riot of color and abstract forms that coalesce into an evocative and emotionally charged scene. Playing with both naturalistic and abstract elements, Marc depicts various animals—most notably horses and deer—set against a vividly colored and slightly surreal landscape. The animals are not rendered with strict anatomical accuracy but are rather stylized, almost geometric in form, harmonizing with the landscape around them.

Key elements to note in the painting:
- Use of Color: Marc employs a palette of bold, primary colors—deep blues, vibrant reds, intense greens, and striking yellows. Each color is laden with symbolic meaning for the painter; for instance, blue was often associated with spirituality and male principle, whereas yellow was tied to feminine joy and sensuality. The dynamic interplay of colors creates a sense of movement and emotional depth.
- Composition and Movement: The painting is structured with sweeping, curvilinear forms that guide the viewer's eye across the canvas, from the grounded animals in the foreground to the undulating hills and sky in the background. The rhythm of the composition suggests a harmony between the animals and their surroundings, an idyllic vision of nature's ordered beauty.
- Abstraction and Symbolism: While identifiable, the forms are not rendered in realistic detail—Marc's approach is to abstract the essence of the animals and their landscape, using geometric simplifications to convey a more profound, almost mystical essence of the natural world.

Franz Marc (1880-1916) was a key figure in the German Expressionist movement and a founding member of "Der Blaue Reiter" (The Blue Rider) group, an influential collective of artists that included Wassily Kandinsky. Marc's work is characterized by his fascination with animals, which he considered to be purer and more spiritual than humans, as well as his efforts to depict the interconnectedness of life and nature through color and form.

The original "Landscape with Animals" (1913) by Franz Marc is part of the collection of the Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus in Munich, Germany. The Lenbachhaus is notably associated with "Der Blaue Reiter" group and houses an extensive collection of Expressionist works.

- Artistic Movement and Influence: This painting falls into the later phase of Marc’s career, a period marked by heightened abstraction and experimentation with color theory. Alongside Kandinsky, Marc was seeking new ways to express inner emotional and spiritual experiences without relying on traditional representational forms.
- Innovative Approach: "Landscape with Animals" exemplifies Marc’s move towards a more abstract and symbolic representation of animals and nature, stepping away from the early Naturalism of his works.
- Symbolic Import: Through this painting, Marc explores themes of unity, spirituality, and the sublime beauty of the natural world, central to the ethos of the Expressionist movement and "Der Blaue Reiter."

- Impact and Legacy: Marc’s work, including "Landscape with Animals," played a significant role in influencing later abstract and expressionist artists. His mystical and philosophical engagement with nature paved the way for future artistic explorations of abstraction and non-representational art.
- War's Shadow: Tragically, Marc’s burgeoning career was cut short by his untimely death during World War I. Paintings like "Landscape with Animals" remain as poignant testaments to his visionary artistry and unique perspective on the natural world.

In sum, "Landscape with Animals" is a prime example of Franz Marc’s innovative contributions to modern art, characterized by its vibrant color palette, daring abstraction, and deep psychological resonance with the natural world.