Cover of the Blue Rider Almanac (Umschlag für den Almanach 'Der blaue Reiter')

1912

Color woodcut on heavy paper, 31.8 × 23.1 cm. Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus und Kunstbau München, Munich

The bound cover of a book of essays and pictures edited by the artist and Franz Marc. A horse and rider rear up beside the hand-cut lettering.

They planned the book during 1911, while both still belonged to the NKVM.
Look at the colors: black and one soft blue, printed over tan paper.
The museum's text on the final design notes eleven cover designs made in quick succession, the rider showing the influence of folk paintings on glass found in Murnau.
The book set art of different eras and fields side by side, music included, and its rider became the sign of a renewal movement.
Came to the museum in Münter's 1957 gift, bound with its spine intact.

Der Blaue Reiter (Blue Rider): The Munich circle around Kandinsky and Marc; it held exhibitions from late 1911.