A blue horse is gazing into the distance; a yellow cow is leaping through the air: anyone who has seen the vibrant paintings of Franz Marc (1880–1916) will remember them. With Franz Marc. The Quest for a Better World, the Kunstmuseum Bern presents the first comprehensive solo exhibition of the artist and co-founder of Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider) in Switzerland.
Marc’s works are among the key works of German Expressionism and some of the most noted masterpieces of classical modernism. Featuring around eighty paintings, works on paper, and sculptures from national and international collections, the exhibition traces the artist’s career, which lasted only a few years but was extraordinarily productive, in all its diversity. It thus offers a unique overview of his œuvre – from the early iconic depictions of animals to the later, increasingly abstract compositions. Marc’s animal paintings in particular continue to exert a powerful aesthetic and emotional impact to this day: they reflect a profound connection with nature and a longing for harmony.
Curator: Livia Wermuth
Assistant curators : Kaja Pawelek, Michelle Fritschi
The exhibition is a collaboration between the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, Düsseldorf, and the Kunstmuseum Bern.
With the support of
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Upcoming exhibitions
30.10.2026–31.1.2027
26.2.2027–4.7.2027