Three Horses at the Watering Place by Franz Marc

Fitting brilliantly into the mature period of lyrical Expressionism, this masterful work illustrates the author’s pantheistic vision. In this composition of exceptional chromatic richness, the artist Marc Franz expresses the spiritual and peaceful dimension of the wild world through a canvas entitled “Three Horses at the Watering Place”. This major creation symbolises the universal harmony uniting different animal species within a sacred nature. Through this emblematic equestrian group, the author invites to a poetic and mystical contemplation.

The painting features three horses with contrasting coats arranged harmoniously in the foreground of an imaginary forest landscape. On the left, a black horse stands, while in the center a deep emerald green horse drinks from an azure blue stream. On the right, a third horse with a brick-red body and a white neck seems to graze peacefully. In the background of this colorful woods, a large yellow and red solar disk illuminates a dense forest with simplified triangular shapes in tones of green, blue and yellow. The bright light emanating from the background accentuates the sculptural volumes and silhouettes of the animals.

This work bears witness to the artist’s exceptional mastery of oil painting, using subtle impasto and rhythmic outlines. His work on the complementarity of colors and the interlocking of shapes creates a unique, powerful spiritual harmony and great plastic power.