What everyone with a pet must have known has only recently made its way into public debate: animals feel, experience joy, pain, disgust, and suffering like other creatures. For Franz Marc, exploring the feelings of animals played a special role. This can now be experienced in the new exhibition „Franz Marc. The Deer Feels“ at the Franz Marc Museum in Kochel am See since Sunday.
In the exhibition, the deer on display are not naturalistic deer studies. They are animals with a visible character. They frolic around, crouch, lie dying, or have already been killed. Marc does not hide the fact that animals suffer in civilization. With Darwin’s insights, this became a topic. The turn of the century was not only a time of artistic renewal but also the era of strengthening animal protection. Vegetarianism not only as a dietary choice but as a way of life gains momentum.
The works of Marc are contrasted with bronze figures by Renée Sintenis. Keilholz-Busch wanted to bring a consciously female perspective with the artist’s figures – Sintenis only designed female animals, roe deer. Unlike Joseph Beuys, whose early watercolor of a deer takes a completely different form, or Sigmar Polke’s yellow deer, which seemingly follows in Marc’s formal simplicity.
Furthermore, visitors have the opportunity to explore the permanent exhibition in a new light. It was redesigned simultaneously with the deer exhibition: The Franz Marc Museum invites you to gain a fresh perspective on the art of Classical Modernism with two newly curated exhibitions.
The Franz Marc Museum in Kochel presents „Franz Marc. The Deer Feels“ from Sunday, July 14, to Sunday, October 6. Opening hours are from Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm. Admission prices are 9.50€ for adults, 6€ for reduced tickets, and 3.50€ for children, with children up to 6 years old entering for free. For more information, visit www.franz-marc-museum.de
In recent years, the topic of animal feelings seems to have gained more significance. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has led people to question the welfare of animals in times of war. This exhibition not only showcases the artistic talents of Franz Marc but also sheds light on the evolving perspectives on animal rights and emotions in society. The inclusion of female perspectives through Renée Sintenis‘ bronze figures adds a new dimension to the discussion of animal representation in art. This exhibition serves as a poignant reminder of the interconnectedness between humans and animals, urging viewers to reflect on the impact of human actions on the natural world.
