One of the key figures of the German Expressionist movement, he was a founding member (with Kandinsky) of Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider), a journal whose name later became synonymous with the circle of artists collaborating in it. His earlier works reflect the influence of van Gogh and others, but in 1912 he met Robert Delaunay, whose use of colour and Futurist method excited him. Fascinated by Futurism and Cubism, Marc created art increasingly stark and abstract in nature.