The World Cow by Franz Marc

Fitting fully into the heart of Expressionism and Cubist research, this vigorous work illustrates the author’s pantheistic vision. In this composition that is both geometric and organic, the painter Marc Franz expresses the vital force of the animal kingdom through a work entitled “The World Cow”. This bold creation bears witness to his desire to free color from any realistic constraint under the author’s brush. Through this pastoral scene, the artist seeks to reveal the soul of the creatures.

The beautiful scene is completely dominated by a red cow lying in profile, whose massive, powerful and stylized body occupies the central space. Its intense brick-red coat contrasts with its white head marked with soft shades of ocher and gray. In the foreground, white and blue geometric blocks suggest a water trough or stone slabs, where a charming, small black animal stands. In the background, a mountainous landscape is organized in faceted geometric planes in tones of forest green, ultramarine blue and golden yellow. A bright light illuminates the cow’s flank, highlighting its beautiful, sculptural, elegant, majestic and structured forms.

This work bears witness to the artist’s technical mastery in applying oil paint in large structured flat areas. By combining angular Cubist shapes with organic curves, he creates a remarkable plastic tension that highlights his exceptional, unique and artisanal expertise.