Bookplate (Exlibris)

The work Bookplate (Exlibris) by Franz Marc was created in 1902. This early piece is classified as a print, specifically executed using the demanding technique of lithography. Marc enhanced the basic composition with delicate, hand-applied additions of watercolor, demonstrating an experimental approach to graphic arts that merged mechanical reproduction with unique artistic touch.

Dating from (c. 1902), this design precedes Marc’s later emergence as a founder of the Expressionist movement Der Blaue Reiter. The creation of bookplates, or ex libris, was a popular minor art form in early 20th-century German culture, allowing artists to explore symbolic or heraldic designs for private clientele. This lithograph reflects the decorative trends prevalent in Munich during the period, focusing on simplified forms and strong linear elements characteristic of early modern graphic arts.

Although the specific imagery of this piece is highly stylized, the design hints at the powerful, rhythmic forms that would later characterize Marc’s mature compositions focused on animal studies. This early work serves as a significant record of the nascent career of a pivotal modernist before his major contributions to abstraction.

The work is housed within the esteemed collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), recognizing its importance within the history of modern prints. As a century-old piece of graphic design, the Bookplate (Exlibris) provides essential insight into the popular decorative arts of the period. Today, the foundational prints of this celebrated German artist are often made available through digital archives, occasionally entering the public domain and aiding scholars studying the trajectory of early 20th-century artistic development.