Maria Marc

Maria Franck-Marc, née Bertha Pauline Marie Franck (12 June 1876 – 25 January 1955), was a German artist. She is also known as the wife of the painter Franz Marc.

Early life and education She was born on 12 June 1876 in Berlin, Germany. In Berlin she attended the Unterrichtanstalt des Kunstgewerbemuseum, the Königliche Akademie der Künste (Royal Academy of Arts). In 1895 she graduated as an art teacher.

In 1903 she started studying in Munchen at the Damen-Akademie des Künstlerinnen-Vereins (Ladies Academy of the Artists' Association, Munich), where she had classes from Angelo Jank en Max Feldbauer.

In 1905 she resided for several months in the art colony at Worpswede, where she painted under the guidance of Otto Modersohn. Her work from this period shows lots of landscapes, and she also developed an interest in painting children. These truly expressionist themes will stay prominent in her work for the rest of her life. Her parents didn't approve of the marriage, nor of the artist lifestyle of their daughter.

During this time Franck worked on children's illustrations besides painting. She was hoping to get her drawings published, mainly for financial reasons. They were briefly involved with the Neue Künstlervereinigung München but soon they decided to start their own movement: Der Blaue Reiter. The pairs Paul en Lily Klee, and Alexej von Jawlensky and Marianne von Werefkin, all living in Munich at the time, got involved. This group is considered fundamental to expressionism and was fascinated by authenticity, returning to nature, and conveying emotions through bold colours.

They organised two exhibitions, in 1911 en 1912. Maria Franck-Marc showed three pieces in the second one.

WOI After the outbreak of the First World War the group ceased to exist. Both Franz Marc and August Macke were drafted, and Kandinsky (of Russian nationality) left Germany.

Exhibitions

Her work is permanently shown at: Lenbachhaus in München Franz Marc Museum in Kochel am See (in Bavaria) MoMA in New York City