Macke
Taschen
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
