FRANZ MARC WATERCOLORS

Among the features of this stunning collection of watercolors and drawings by Franz Marc are an illuminating introduction by Klaus Lankheit plus a statement by Marc printed in large clear type (emphasizing its importance) which highlights his major ideas, and beneath each of the drawings, elucidating quotations by him. The colorplates were selected largely from the artist's most productive year, 1913. They trace a development from his first abandonment of representational uses of form and color to his fully matured interest in the abstract. Both colorplates and drawings are beautifully reproduced rendering them suitable for framing. In his introduction, Klaus Lankheit succeeds in imparting the artist's motivations and philosophy in a non-pedantic vein. Each colorplate is approached with an eye toward broadening the viewer's appreciation. Mounted on alternating black and white backgrounds, Marc's animal themes thus attain greater meaning and beauty. This collection was compiled with love and is an admirable addition to books of its kind.