August Macke

August Macke was a German painter and one of the leading members of the Blue Rider group. He was born on January 3, 1887, in Meschede, Germany, to his parents, August Macke Sr. and Maria Florentine Macke. He had two siblings, a brother named Ernst and a sister named Elisabeth. Macke's father was an architect, and his mother was a homemaker.

Macke's childhood was spent moving around Germany as his father's work required him to relocate frequently. Despite this, Macke developed an interest in art at a young age and attended art school in Düsseldorf. He later studied at the Kunstgewerbeakademie in Düsseldorf, where he met his lifelong friend and fellow artist, Franz Marc.

In 1909, Macke married his wife, Elizabeth Gerhardt, who was also an artist. They had two sons together, Walter and Wolfgang. Macke's wife and children were a significant source of inspiration for his work, and they often appeared in his paintings.

Macke worked in several locations throughout his career, including Bonn, Berlin, and Paris. He was heavily influenced by the Fauvist movement and the work of artists such as Henri Matisse and Paul Cézanne. He also found inspiration in the art of the Orient, which he encountered during a trip to Tunisia.

Macke's technique involved the use of bright, vibrant colors and bold, sweeping brushstrokes. He was known for his ability to capture the essence of a subject with just a few well-placed strokes, creating a sense of movement and energy in his paintings.

Macke's footprint in the art world was significant. His work was part of several influential exhibitions, including the Blaue Reiter exhibition in 1911. His use of color and form was influential to several later artists, including the Expressionists and the Surrealists.

Here are five of August Macke's most important paintings:

1. "Lady in a Green Jacket" (1913) - This painting is a portrait of Macke's wife, Elizabeth, and is notable for its use of bright colors and loose brushwork.

2. "Tunisian Garden" (1914) - This painting captures the vibrant colors and exotic atmosphere of the gardens in Tunisia that inspired Macke during his travels.

3. "St. Germain - Landscape" (1914) - This painting is a beautiful example of Macke's ability to capture movement and energy with just a few bold brushstrokes.

4. "The Turkish Café" (1914) - This painting depicts a bustling café in Berlin and is notable for its use of bold colors and patterns.

5. "Three Girls in a Barque" (1912) - This painting is a beautiful example of Macke's ability to capture the essence of a subject with just a few well-placed strokes, creating a sense of movement and energy in the scene.