Lizards (Eidechsen)

Lizards (Eidechsen) is a powerful woodcut created by Franz Marc in 1912. This intense graphic work exemplifies the radical stylistic shift occurring within German Expressionism just before World War I. As a relief print, the work relies entirely on stark contrasts, using the demanding limitations of the medium to amplify its emotional impact and convey a sense of kinetic movement.

Marc utilized the woodcut technique to carve away the block, leaving behind only essential, simplified forms. This subtractive process resulted in the characteristic jagged lines and interlocking, angular shapes typical of Expressionist prints from this period. Though Marc is famously associated with a vibrant color palette in his paintings, in this composition, he uses only pure black and white to emphasize abstract rhythm and inherent dynamism. The aggressive, stylized representation of the reptiles captures a primal energy often explored in modern German art, reflecting the period's search for authenticity in nature.

The dense, complex composition, wherein the forms of the Eidechsen overlap and appear to merge with the background patterns, shows the influence of Cubist flattening integrated seamlessly with the spiritual animal motifs central to Marc’s wider artistic vision. The dynamic patterning of Lizards (Eidechsen) demonstrates the artist’s ambition to express the internal, spiritual reality of animals, rather than their mere physical appearance.

Executed in 1912, the work dates to the pinnacle of activity for the Der Blaue Reiter group, which Marc co-founded. It encapsulates the radical formal experimentation characteristic of early 20th-century German culture, aiming for emotional and structural truth. This significant print by the German master resides in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). High-resolution images of this pivotal 1912 work are frequently made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring widespread accessibility of Marc’s influential graphic arts.