Franz Marc and August Macke 1909-1914 - Beau Livre

This catalogue accompanies a major loan exhibition at the Neue Galerie devoted to the work of Franz Marc and August Macke. During the five years that Franz Marc and August Macke knew each other, the two enjoyed an artistic and personal friendship that had a profound impact on each of their careers. This publication and the related show aim to capture their tremendous accomplishments, which were attained in just a few short years.
More than 70 reproductions of their paintings and sketches are carefully juxtaposed to highlight the ongoing artistic dialogue between these men. They visited each other's studios frequently, traveled together, and exhibited their work side by side on numerous occasions. But with the outbreak of World War I, their lives and careers were cut short when both Marc and Macke were killed in battle. A series of essays by leading scholars examines Marc and Macke's involvement with the Blaue Reiter (Blue Rider) group, their opinions about color theory, the influence of French painting on their art, as well as their reception history.
German Expressionism rapidly evolved during their involvement with the Blaue Reiter, as it moved toward an increasingly abstract style. While celebrating the two artists' artistic differences, these scholarly texts also illustrate how their distinct approaches influenced each other. The exhibition is on view at the Neue Galerie New York from October 4, 2018 to January 21, 2019. It then travels to the Musée de l'Orangerie, Paris, where it is on view from March 6 to June 17, 2019.