FRANZ MARC - The Bewitched Mill

THE ARTWORK

"The Bewitched Mill" (Die verzauberte Mühle) is a significant painting by Franz Marc, completed in 1913. This work is notable for its exploration of Marc's unique blend of Cubist and Expressionist styles, combined with his deep interest in depicting the spiritual essence of nature.

Inspired by his visit to the Italian town of Merano in the Southern Tyrol, Marc painted this scene with empathic interest in animals. The left side depicts houses and a mill, while the right side embodies lyrical trees and animals. The water wheel, falling water, and vibrant colors pulse with life, symbolizing the coexistence of humankind and nature.

The mill's structure is depicted in fragmented and abstracted forms, influenced by Cubist principles, which Marc embraced to express dynamic movement and energy. The colors used in the painting are vibrant and intense, typical of Marc's palette, with blues, greens, and reds dominating the composition.

The title suggests a narrative or allegorical dimension to the painting, hinting at a magical or supernatural transformation of the mill. Marc often infused his artworks with symbolic meanings, exploring themes of spirituality, harmony with nature, and the mystical aspects of existence.

THE ARTIST

Franz Marc (1880-1916) was a pioneering German painter and printmaker, renowned for his significant contributions to the Expressionist movement. Born in Munich, Marc initially studied theology before turning to art, influenced by the works of Wassily Kandinsky and other contemporaries. He co-founded the influential group "Der Blaue Reiter" (The Blue Rider) in 1911 with Kandinsky, advocating for spiritual and symbolic art forms.

Marc's style is characterized by vivid colors, bold shapes, and a deep connection to nature, particularly animals. He often depicted animals in a stylized and symbolic manner, believing in their spiritual significance and portraying them as embodiments of emotions and ideas. His paintings like "The Large Blue Horses" and "The Yellow Cow" exemplify this approach, using intense blues, yellows, and greens to evoke a sense of harmony and spirituality.

Tragically, Marc's promising career was cut short after he was drafted into the German Army during World War I and killed in battle at Verdun at the age of 36. Despite his short life, Franz Marc's impact on modern art was profound, influencing subsequent generations of artists and leaving behind a legacy of vibrant, emotionally resonant works that continue to captivate audiences around the world.

THE PRINT

• A4 Size = 29.7cm x 21cm = 11.7" x 8.25"
• A3 Size = 42cm x 29.7cm = 16.5" x 11.7"
• High resolution giclée print - 600dpi
• Printed to order
• Unframed & unmounted
• Professionally printed using Canon imagePROGRAF printers
• Digitally restored by OharaPrints from high resolution scans of the original artwork
• Made in and shipped from Casterton, Victoria, Australia

PAPER

• Canson Infinity - Arches BFK Rives White
• Paper weight = 310gsm
• 100% cotton
• Archival, museum grade
• Acid free
• No OBAs (optical brightening agents)

Arches BFK Rives is a high-quality, archival-grade paper manufactured at the Arches paper mill in France - one of the oldest papermakers in Europe. It is made from 100% cotton rag using a time-honoured manufacturing process, giving the paper exceptional durability, longevity, and resistance to yellowing or deterioration over time. Despite its substantial weight and thickness it maintains a very soft and supple feel. The paper has a natural white tone and is completely free of any optical brighteners (OBAs), allowing for superb colour rendition and deep blacks.

INK

• Canon Lucia Pro Inks
• Pigment based
• Archival, museum-grade
• Brilliant colours, even gradient and razor-sharp lines
• Highly stable and fade resistant, excellent humidity-fastness

SHIPPING & HANDLING

• All orders are dispatched on the NEXT BUSINESS DAY after receiving the order
• All prints are shipped via AUSTRALIA POST with TRACKING
• For postage rates and estimated delivery times please see our SHIPPING page
• All prints are shipped flat, not rolled
• Each print is individually placed into a resealable, archival grade plastic protective sleeve
• Prints are carefully packaged in very sturdy 700gsm cardboard envelopes, along with 1050gsm boxboard sheets which provide extra strength & rigidity to prevent bending or folding during transit