In the genesis of 20th Century Moderism artists were looking for new ways to define what art could be. In 1911 several German artists formed a group called Der Blaue Rider (The Blue Rider) after Wassily Kandinsky’s painting was rejected for an exhibition. Artists within the group were Wassily Kandinsky, Franz Mark, Paul Klee, August Macke, Marianne von Werefkin, Lyonel Feininger, Albert Bloch and Alexej von Jawlensky. Principles Mark who loved horses and Kandinsky who considered the colour dark blue to have a spiritual quality came up with the name. They had no manifesto other then to explore new directions. The group’s work became a powerful influence for others that followed. The group disbanded in 1914 and Franz Marc and August Macke were killed during combat in WWI. Although short lived the group’s legacy lived on.
The sculpture represents a Don Quixote-like figure. The tip of the lance has a graphite lead embedded in the tip.
