Artwork
Weasels at Play
Weasels at Play is an oil painting by Franz Marc. It dates from 1911 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Weasels at Play is an oil on canvas painting created by German artist Franz Marc in 1911. Characterized by vibrant colors and a natural setting, the work features weasels amidst a multicolored landscape.
Subject & Meaning
The painting centers on weasels playing in a landscape with multicolored trees against a blue sky. The subject reflects Marc's use of animals to explore emotional and symbolic themes, common in his Expressionist work.
Technique & Style
Marc employed bold, expressive colors and thick brushstrokes in Weasels at Play. The style aligns with his period of emphasizing the natural world through vivid, non-naturalistic hues.
History & Provenance
Created in 1911, the painting is part of Marc's mature output. Marc, a key figure in German Expressionism and Der Blaue Reiter, died in 1916 during World War I.
Context
Weasels at Play is situated within the early 20th-century German Expressionist movement, specifically Marc's contributions as a founding member of Der Blaue Reiter.
Legacy
While the painting's specific legacy is not detailed, it contributes to Marc's broader influence on Expressionist art, emphasizing emotional expression through animal subjects and vivid color.
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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.
