Steer (Stier)

Steer (Stier) by Franz Marc is a definitive example of German Expressionist printmaking created in 1912. This powerful composition, executed as a woodcut, showcases Marc's distinctive evolution away from conventional representation toward abstraction and symbolic forms, rendered here starkly in black and white. Marc, a founding member of the influential Der Blaue Reiter group, utilized the inherent characteristics of the woodcut technique-bold, unforgiving lines, fractured planes, and high contrast-to convey the primal essence of the animal subject.

While the artist is widely known for his lush, highly colored paintings of animals, Marc employed the severity of the woodcut process in this particular work to emphasize structure over hue. The subject, a steer, is depicted through sharp, angular forms, fracturing the animal's powerful body and background into interlocking geometric sections. This dynamic fragmentation reflects the artistic upheaval taking place across Europe during 1912, as modernists sought to express internal spiritual reality rather than external appearance. The piece transforms the beast from a simple agricultural subject into a potent symbol of natural energy and vital force, a common, spiritualized theme within the German artistic movement.

This significant print demonstrates Marc's skill in handling line and negative space, hallmarks of his crucial contribution to the development of early abstract art. As a key example of the artist’s output during the peak of the Expressionist movement, the woodcut Steer (Stier) remains an essential reference for studying early modernism. The original print resides in the esteemed collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. Due to the historical nature and age of the original work, high-quality prints and reproductions of this iconic German piece are now widely available through public domain sources, ensuring its continued study and appreciation.