The Yellow Cow by Franz Marc - Painting Analysis Essay

Introduction

The yellow cow is a famous painting found at the museum. It was made in 1911 by German artist Franz Marc. The painter used oil on canvas measuring 140.5 by 189.2 centimeters. A jumping female yellow cow is the central motif. The surrounding landscape is structured and colorful. There is unity between the calm background and the dynamic central motif. There are colors on the cow that are also used in the background. The hooves, spots on the stomach and another close to the tail are black similar to the black color in the horizon. The cow's white udder also matches a white area below the cow. The yellow jumping cow is free and appears joyous. The cow is happy out in nature with which it is in unison. The painting has bold colors that Marc placed meaning. Color is used for symbolism and to also evoke emotion. The colors blue, red and yellow are used in the painting with a specific purpose. Blue is used to express masculinity, red is used to represent the physical, and finally yellow symbolizes femininity (Cohen 207). The yellow cow is placed on an abstract background that does not resemble a known place. There are familiar images such as that of the cow and the hills but the colors used to make the painting seem fictional. The colors used to make the painting make it look vibrant, perhaps symbolic to the movement and energy at the time.

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The painting of the yellow cow is of the expressionist era that employs the use of symbolism. Colors were an integral part of Marc's paintings where he used them to represent feelings and emotions. He used yellow to symbolize the female principle which is spiritual, gentle and gay. Blue to represent the male principle that is spiritual and astringent. Red represents matter that is heavy and brutal. The yellow color used on the cow is symbolic of female sensuality (Cohen 199-200). It is used with such intensity that also brings out the intensity of the surrounding colors. The intensity of the colors in the painting can be interpreted as symbolic to chaos. Thus, the painting may symbolize a free happy cow with sensual femininity in a chaotic place. A yellow cow is unusual showing that the art is made from imagination rather than from a real-life event. It is an epitome of Franz Marc work where he painted animals symbolically. The nature of his work was influenced by his experiences and was expressive of his beliefs.

Towards the end of 1915, General Erich von Falkenhayn decided to launch an attack on France at Verdun. A brutal war ensued in February of 1916 lasting most of that year. The countries committed many men in the conflict that saw an unprecedented number of deaths. Among the casualties of the war was Franz Marc who died in Verdun at the age of 36 (Cohen 299). His short life was spent at the center of the visual arts in Munich where he was born. Another artist, Vasily Kandinsky, moved from Russia to Munich in the year 1896 in pursuit of art studies. The two met and together decided to shift from the conservatism that was there in the art industry. They formed a new group called DE Blaue Relter that translated in English as The Blue Rider (Cohen 206). The name of the group came about from their shared interest in the color blue and riding horses. The German traditions of the Christian Warrior knights might also have had an influence in the name of the new group of artists. Marc explained in a letter to his friend and fellow artist August Mackie his obsession with the three colors yellow, blue and red. The colors characterize many of Marc's paintings where he assigned the color blue for masculine items, yellow for feminine, and red to represent nature.

The central figure of the painting, the yellow cow, illustrates the color theories that Franz Marc had at the time. The animal cavorts in a landscape characterized by orange and red hues, triangular blue mountains, and a lemon sky. Many people have suggested that the painting was inspired by his wife Maria whom he had recently married. The cow represented his wife while the blue mountains represented him in the chaotic world that was brought up by the vibrancy of the colors. Marc was fond of animals and he featured them in some of his paintings such as those of dogs and horses. He was also religious and loved nature, which can be seen in his work that demonstrates love. He described the animals to be more godlike compared to the piety that humans lacked.

The painting of the yellow cow was done by Franz Marc in 1911. It was a time when the world was at the brink of the first World War and thus political tensions were high. Marc was drafted 2 years later in 1914 to fight for the Germans where he died in action. The period was characterized by people that had become superficial and materialistic making many artists depict the natural world in their works. The circumstances had an influence on the paintings by Franz, but he added symbolism by the use of colors. There are those who have suggested that the painting was that of Marc's wedding. That would suggest that Maria is the cow, him the blue mountains, and the blue patch on the cow's stomach as his desire for a child.

Conclusion

The work of art by Franz Marc relates to my world and my own experience. The painting was made at a time when the world was fast becoming materialistic and superficial. Artist then became obsessed with expressions of the natural world order. The world was also at the brink of war and there were obvious tensions. The yellow cow depicts love in the midst of the chaos illustrated by the intense dynamic colors. I can relate to the painting in my world where daily struggles surround my love and passion for life. People are still happily existing despite the chaos. Franz and his friend Kandinsky recognized the need to shift from the conformist art industry and start their own free will approach to art. Their creative ideas are relatable in my world where I can see the benefits of transcending the ideas of the world and have a creative approach to life.

Works Cited

Cohen, Milton A. Movement, Manifesto, Melee: The Modernist Group, 1910-1914. Lanham: Lexington Books, 2004. Internet resource.

Smith, Geoffrey. "Franz Marc: Yellow Cow 1911. New York, Guggenheim Museum." Great Works of Western Art. Accessed from <http://www.worldsbestpaintings.net/artistsandpaintings/painting/83/>