The artwork “Caliban (from Shakespeare’s The Tempest)” created by artist Franz Marc in 1914, is an exemplar of the Cubist art movement. Measuring 64.4 by 39.8 cm, this literary painting finds its home in the Kunstmuseum Basel located in Basel, Switzerland. Marc’s piece explores the character Caliban from Shakespeare’s play “The Tempest,” rendering a visual interpretation of this literary figure through a Cubist perspective.
Upon observing the artwork, one is immediately struck by the distinct fragmentation and geometrization characteristic of Cubism. The figure of Caliban is depicted in a dynamic, almost tumultuous arrangement of shapes and colors that break the form into multiple facets. A spectrum of hues, including deep purples, vibrant greens, and fiery reds, interlocks within the composition, suggesting movement and emotional intensity. The eyes, rendered with concentric circles and contrasting tones, draw the viewer into a penetrating gaze, while other body parts, like what could be interpreted as a hand, emerge from the abstraction in a recognizable form. Amidst this visual complexity, the essence of Caliban — a creature torn between his primal nature and imposed civilization — seems to be symbolically encapsulated. The artwork challenges traditional representation, inviting contemplation of the complexity of form, character, and narrative embodied in Shakespeare’s creation, reimagined through the revolutionary lens of Cubist artistry.
