August Macke
August Macke was born in Meschede, Germany on January 3, 1887. As a young man August Macke lived in Bonn and attended the Düsseldorf's Art Academy and the Fine Art Academy. In 1909 August Macke married Elisabeth Gerhardt and they traveled to Paris, Holland, Italy and Tunisia. While traveling in Paris the artist viewed the works of the French Impressionists. August Macke's painting style was influenced by the French Impressionists Matisse and Manet.
While
visiting Paris with his friend Franz Marc in 1912 August Macke met with
Robert Delauney and the influence of Delauney's Cubism can be seen in
August Macke's paintings following that meeting. Bright colors and cubistic
shapes define his landscapes and portraits. Considered a master painter,
August Macke was a member of the German Expressionist group Der Blaue
Reiter (The Blue Rider) founded by Franz Marc and Wassily Kandinsky.
World War I broke out in September 1914 and August Macke died on the front in Champagne, France on September 26, 1914. His last painting, Farewell, reflected the dark mood of the times.
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