Photo By Gail

After discontinuing his studies at the Munich Academy of Art, German Expressionist Franz Marc(1880 – 1916) spent time in France and the Alpine town of Sindelsdorf, where he painted relentlessly.

Even before he joined the Blue Rider group, the young artist was interested in spirituality and philosophy, stating “although I have been an artist on my life, as a result of my upbringing and environment, and my own inclinations, I have also been half cleric and half Philologist.”

The coiled geometry in Tiger (1912) evokes wild animal energy. The depiction of the tiger – an animal important to Buddhist tradition – was informed by Marc’s interest in spiritual teachings as well as Japanese prints.

Photographed in the Tate Modern Museum in London.