August Make German expressionist artist. Date of Birth: 03.01.1887 Country: Germany

1. Early Life and Artistic Influences
2. The Influence of Impressionism and Expressionism
3. Parisian Connections and the Blue Rider
4. The Blue Rider Group and Beyond
5. Exhibitions and International Influence
6. Tragic Demise and Legacy

Early Life and Artistic Influences

August Macke was born into a family with a passion for art. His father, Herman Macke, collected antique prints and painted landscapes. In 1900, the Macke family moved to Bonn, where August attended the Realgymnasium. His artistic interests emerged in 1902 when he created his first watercolors, depicting animals, landscapes, and portraits.

The Influence of Impressionism and Expressionism

In 1904, Macke created his first sketchbook, sparking a lifelong passion for sketching. His early artistic style was influenced by Arnold Böcklin, but this influence gradually diminished as he came into contact with Impressionism. During a trip to Italy in 1905, Macke's sketches simplified and experimented with light, reflecting the influence of the movement.

Macke's encounters with Impressionist art in Basel had a profound impact on his work. Paintings by Manet and Toulouse-Lautrec particularly inspired him. From 1904 to 1906, Macke studied at the Academy and School of Arts and Crafts in Düsseldorf, where he created costumes and sets for theatrical productions.

Parisian Connections and the Blue Rider

In 1907, Macke's world expanded when he met Henri Matisse in Paris. His subsequent apprenticeship under Lovis Corinth further enriched his artistic vision, resulting in 15 sketchbooks filled with scenes of theater, cafés, and city life.

Back in Berlin, Macke immersed himself in Renaissance and 19th-century art. By 1909, he had established a wide network within the art community. He married Elisabeth Gerhardt that same year, and in 1910, they settled at Lake Tegernsee, where his artistic output flourished. Pastels inspired by Cézanne became a prominent feature in his work.

The Blue Rider Group and Beyond

Macke's close friendship with Franz Marc led to the founding of the artists' community "Der Blaue Reiter" (The Blue Rider), along with Wassily Kandinsky and Alfred Kubin. Macke's works were featured in the group's 1911 exhibition in Munich. The Blue Rider period saw Macke develop his unique style, heavily influenced by French Impressionism.

In 1911, Macke and his family returned to Bonn, where his home became a hub for artistic activity. Many of his notable paintings and drawings, such as "Our Garden with Blooming Flowerbeds," depict his surroundings and family business.

Exhibitions and International Influence

Beyond his artistic endeavors, Macke played a pivotal role as an organizer of exhibitions. Through his connections, works by Paul Klee, Kandinsky, and members of "Die Brücke" were showcased. Macke's own paintings were also featured in the second Blue Rider exhibition in 1912.

His friendship with Robert Delaunay introduced him to abstract painting. In 1913, Macke relocated to Switzerland, where his productivity soared. Influences from various artists manifested in his works, particularly in his depictions of human figures and nature.

Tragic Demise and Legacy

Macke's promising career was cut short by World War I. Drafted into the army in 1914, he was killed in action on September 26th at the age of 27. His poignant painting "Farewell" became a haunting foreshadowing of his fate.

Macke's legacy lives on through numerous exhibitions and a museum dedicated to his art. His works continue to inspire and captivate viewers, showcasing the brilliance of a painter whose life was tragically short-lived.