Animals have been present in art since the earliest cave paintings, and their representation has taken many different forms. In some cases, animals are depicted realistically, while in others they have a more symbolic meaning. In ancient Egyptian art, for example, cats were often associated with the goddess Bastet and were believed to possess magical powers. In Chinese art, on the other hand, dragons are often seen as benevolent creatures that represent good luck and strength. Whether realistic or symbolic, animals play an important role in the history of art and continue to be a popular subject for artists today.

Franz Marc's art is characterised by bright colours and simple forms: Blue Horse I is an example of this. His animals are often depicted in pairs or groups, and they often resemble each other in colour and appearance, as we see in his iconic expressionist work, Foxes. This creates a sense of harmony and balance, which is typical of Marc's work. In contrast, Hokusai's animals are often depicted in dynamic poses, as if they are in action. The lines in his paintings are often curved and expressive, giving the impression of movement. In his work Peonies and Butterflies, the butterfly is depicted in full flight. Paul Gauguin's animals are usually depicted against a background of lush vegetation. The colours in his paintings are often very bright and his animals tend to be portrayed as mystical creatures. This may be due to Gauguin's interest in non-Western cultures. In Arearea, the dog is shown in the foreground of two Tahitian women. Overall, the three artists have very different styles, but all three use animals as a means to explore colour, form and line.

Want to buy reproductions of Franz Marc's paintings ? Discover all our high quality reproductions by Galerie Mont-Blanc. We also offer reproductions of paintings by Paul Gauguin and reproductions of paintings by Hokusai.