Germany: The 100th Anniversary of the Death of Franz Marc

Franz Marc (February 8, 1880 – March 4, 1916) was a German painter and printmaker, one of the key figures of the German Expressionist movement. He was a founding member of "Der Blaue Reiter" (The Blue Rider), a journal whose name later became synonymous with the circle of artists collaborating in it. With the outbreak of the Great War in 1914, Marc was drafted in the German Army as a cavalryman. After mobilization of the German Army, the government identified notable artists to be withdrawn from combat for their own safety. Marc was on the list but was struck in the head and killed instantly by a shell splinter during the Battle of Verdun in 1916 before orders for reassignment could reach him.

On the card you can see one of the most famous paintings of Franz Marc. Its called Blaues Pferd I, (or Blue Horse I) from 1911.

Stamp:
Centenary of World War I - Issued: 07-08-2014 with special postmark