August Macke was a key figure in the German Expressionist movement, primarily associated with 'Der Blaue Reiter'. His art is instantly recognizable for its vivid colors and simplified forms, capturing a sense of harmony and modern life. The Expressionist movement, which had been flourishing before World War I, was deeply affected by the conflict and tragically, Macke was killed in action at just 27 years old, only two months after the war began. Other artists, such as Franz Marc and Wilhelm Morgner, also lost their lives on the battlefield, while those who survived, like Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, returned deeply traumatized. This collective experience led to a shift in Expressionist art—from vibrant, dreamlike scenes to darker, more critical explorations of postwar reality.