Franz Marc and August Macke were two major figures of German Expressionism, in particular the ‘Blaue Reiter’ movement. They became friends when they met in Paris in 1910, sharing an interest in nature in their art. However, their work took a more radical turn after they met Vassily Kandinsky the following year and they formed ‘Der Blaue Reiter’ together with Alexej von Jawlensky, Gabriele Munter and others. The group was disrupted by the outbreak of World War I, during which both Marc and Macke were killed in combat.

The exhibition ‘Franz Marc and August Macke. The Adventure of the Blue Rider’ at the Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris explores Marc and Macke’s artistic relationship and how their art was developed and received during their lifetimes.

August Macke ‘Forest Stream’ (1910)

Franz Marc ‘The Dream’ (1912)

August Macke ‘Couple in the Forest’ (1912)

Franz Marc ‘The First Animals’ (1913)

Franz Marc ‘The Wolves (Balkan War)’ (1913)

August Macke ‘Landscape with Cows, Sail Boat and Figures’ (1914)