Art Critique #1

Franz Marc "Tiger"(1912), oil on cavas

VI Concept: Art Critique #1

Franz Marc was a German painter who explored the use of color and shape with animals as his primary subject matter. His expressionist paintings led into the proceeding art period of abstract art. One of Marc’s famous animalistic artwork is the oil painting “Tiger” completed in 1912. In the painting Marc is able to create the illusion of a moving tiger, perhaps stalking its prey. The tiger is the main focal point of the painting and is separated by the background through its vibrant color. The background contains dull, muted colors, which allows the tiger to stand out in the painting with its contrasting bright color tone. Also separating the tiger from the background are the thick, black lines which outline the cat. Marc uses these lines to show the movement of the tiger. While looking at the painting, the viewer’s eyes follow these lines from the bottom to the head of the tiger, which helps create rhythm. Furthermore, Franz Marc uses geometric shapes throughout the artwork. This use of shape makes the painting appear choppy; however the shapes simplify the tiger and show the animal’s muscles as it moves throughout its surroundings. The geometric pattern in the artwork also creates unity in the painting. The tiger becomes a part of the background and thus Marc shows how the tiger is one with its environment. This concept of harmony between creates and their natural environment is one that Franz Marc attempted to accomplish in almost all of his animal paintings. Thus, most of his paintings camouflage the animal with the background of the artwork. The oil painting of “Tiger” exemplifies Marc’s idea through the use of line, color, and shape to create unity and harmony throughout the painting.