Franz Moritz Wilhelm Marc was one of the key figures of German Expressionism, and founding member of Der Blaue Reiter. He believed that animals embodied purity and authenticity, serving as conduits for conveying universal truths. His compositions, marked by vibrant colors and bold forms, sought to evoke an emotional response and establish a connection between humans and the natural world. He died at the age of 36, at the Battle of Verdun in World War I.