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
Born back in 1985, the Basic Art Series has evolved into the
best-selling art book collection ever published. 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
