August Macke & Franz Marc: An Artist Friendship

The friendship between Franz Marc (1880–1916) and August Macke (1887–1914) was of vital importance to both painters. Their close bond lasted four years and came to an abrupt end with the death of Macke shortly after the outbreak of World War I. This catalogue brings together paintings, watercolors, drawings, handcrafts, objects and documents from these two artists, demonstrating the extent to which they influenced one another in their work. While Macke, seven years younger than Marc, took a sensual and spontaneous approach to the visual world, his friend possessed an elevated, theoretical vision, seeking the spiritual unity of existence through the image. Despite conceptual, cultural and political differences, a deep mutual affection characterized their joint undertakings, such as the exhibitions of the Blaue Reiter or their conversations on Fauvism, Cubism, Futurism and the work of their contemporaries.