Artwork
Genesis II (Schopfungsgeschichte II)
Genesis II (Schopfungsgeschichte II) is an ink print by Franz Marc. It dates from 1914 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
As a key member of the German Expressionist group *Der Blaue Reiter*, Marc focused on spiritual and natural themes through abstracted forms.
Franz Marc produced *Genesis II (Schopfungsgeschichte II)* in 1914 as a woodcut using yellow, black, and green inks. As a key member of the German Expressionist group *Der Blaue Reiter*, Marc focused on spiritual and natural themes through abstracted forms. This print exemplifies his interest in translating inner experience into visual rhythm, using the woodcut medium to amplify emotional intensity through stark contrasts and dynamic lines.
Subject & Meaning
The work evokes a cosmic origin story without literal imagery, suggesting creation through abstract motion. Swirling forms and overlapping curves imply forces of life emerging from chaos, aligning with Marc’s belief in nature’s sacred energy. The absence of identifiable animals or figures shifts focus to primal movement, reflecting his spiritual view of nature as a living, vibrating entity beyond physical appearance.
Technique & Style
Marc carved the woodblock to create bold, flowing lines that guide the viewer’s eye across the composition. The thick black outlines contain vibrant yellow and green areas, enhancing the sense of energy. The contrast between the dense foreground marks and the softer, textured background creates depth. His use of the woodcut medium emphasizes the hand-carved quality, reinforcing the raw, emotional character of Expressionist printmaking.
History & Provenance
Created in 1914, the print was made shortly before Marc’s enlistment in World War I, during which he continued to produce art. He died in battle in 1916. In the 1930s, the Nazi regime condemned his work as 'degenerate,' leading to the removal and destruction of many of his pieces from public collections. This print survives as part of a limited body of work that endured despite political suppression.
Context
Marc’s work emerged amid a broader European modernist shift toward abstraction and emotional expression. Alongside artists like Kandinsky, he sought to move beyond realism, using color and form to convey spiritual truths. *Genesis II* reflects the influence of non-Western art, primitive sculpture, and contemporary theories of perception, positioning it within a transnational dialogue on modernity and mysticism.
Legacy
Though Marc’s career was cut short, his prints influenced later generations of artists exploring abstraction and emotional intensity. His integration of color symbolism and organic abstraction helped define German Expressionism’s visual language. Today, *Genesis II* remains a significant example of how printmaking could serve as a vehicle for metaphysical inquiry in early 20th-century art.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Franz Moritz Wilhelm Marc (8 February 1880 – 4 March 1916) was a German painter and printmaker, one of the key figures of German Expressionism.
