Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
A style of his own: The colorful work of a truly avant-garde painterIn the course of his short life, German painter
August Macke (1887--1914) combined inspirations from extremely different sources into a unique and personal style. Macke was engaged with the world, closely following the development of abstract art and at the same time feeling tied to the Blauer Reiter movement of Munich. Macke developed a "flat" yet ornamental style, but always remained true to objective representation. His cheerful scenes of parks, zoos, and promenades with shop windows are filled with bold yet harmonious colors. Their brilliance reached its zenith in 1914 when he traveled with Klee and Moilliet to Tunis and became acquainted with the light of the African sun.
About the series: Each book in TASCHEN's Basic Art series features:
- a detailed chronological summary of the life and oeuvre of the artist, covering his or her cultural and historical importance
- a concise biography
- approximately 100 illustrations with explanatory captions
Synopsis
About ColorAugust Macke's vivid shades still resonate a century after his death
August Macke (1887-1914) achieved notoriety at an early age, only to be
killed at the tender age of 27 at the start of World War I. Despite his brief career, the artist left a remarkable oeuvre in his wake, in which his
obsessions with color reflected aspects of Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Fauvism, and Expressionism.
Through his engagement with these diverse schools of art, Macke assimilated disparate influences and approaches into a style entirely his own. Grouped with the
Blaue Reiter movement, but eschewing the mysticism that often pervaded the works of its artists, Macke returned time and again to
color-led interpretations of beauty, whether the kaleidoscopic watercolor
Hat Shop (1913), or the shimmering hues of
Woman in a Green Jacket (1913). These colors reached their zenith in 1914 when
Macke traveled with Klee and Moilliet to Tunis and became acquainted with North African light.
With leading examples from his vivid painterly world, this book introduces us to Macke's short but influential career as a
pioneering Expressionist. From cheerful scenes of parks, zoos, and promenades to his final major work, ominously titled
Farewell (1914), we explore a remarkable talent for visual impact and an intense pursuit of the
emotional possibilities of color.
"He gave a brighter and purer sound to colour than any of us; he gave it the clarity and brightness of his whole being."
-- Franz Marc, 1914
About the series:
Each book in TASCHEN's Basic Art series features:
- a detailed chronological summary of the life and oeuvre of the artist, covering his or her cultural and historical importance
- a concise biography
- approximately 100 illustrations with explanatory captions
Synopsis
August Macke (1887-1914) quickly ascended to notoriety, only to be killed at the tender age of 27 at the start of World War I. Despite his brief career, the artist left a remarkable oeuvre in his wake, his obsessions with color reflecting aspects of Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Fauvism, and Expressionism.
Through his engagement with these diverse schools of art, Macke assimilated disparate influences and approaches into a style entirely his own. Grouped with the Blaue Reiter movement, but eschewing the mysticism that often pervaded the works of its artists, Macke returned time and again to color-led interpretations of beauty, whether the kaleidoscopic watercolor Bright Women in front of the Hat Shop (1913), or the shimmering hues of Lady in a Green Jacket (1913). These colors reached their zenith in 1914 when Macke traveled with Klee and Moilliet to Tunis and became acquainted with North African light.
With leading examples from his vivid painterly world, this book introduces us to Macke's short but influential career as a pioneering Expressionist. From cheerful scenes of parks, zoos, and promenades to his final major work, ominously titled Farewell (1914), we explore a remarkable talent for visual impact and an intense pursuit of the emotional possibilities of color.
About the series
Each book in TASCHEN's Basic Art series features:
a detailed chronological summary of the life and oeuvre of the artist, covering his or her cultural and historical importance
a concise biography
approximately 100 illustrations with explanatory captions