{"product_id":"composition-ii-susanna-in-the-bath-by-august-macke-1913","title":"Composition II (Susanna in the Bath) by August Macke, 1913","description":"\u003cp\u003eAugust Macke’s \u003cem\u003eComposition II (Susanna in the Bath)\u003c\/em\u003e, created in 1913, turns a familiar biblical subject into a vivid arrangement of colour, contour and overlapping form. A reclining nude occupies the centre of the painting, her pale, warmly modulated body set against saturated blues, greens and pinks. The setting is only loosely defined: dark masses gather at the upper left, softer peach-coloured forms spread beneath the figure, and spatial depth gives way to a fluid, almost decorative rhythm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMacke was a leading figure in German Expressionism and a key member of Der Blaue Reiter, the Munich-based circle that sought new expressive possibilities in colour and form. Here, the story of Susanna—traditionally represented bathing while secretly observed by two elders—is not narrated with conventional clarity. Instead, Macke recasts it in the experimental language of the early twentieth-century avant-garde. Figurative elements remain recognisable, but they are absorbed into an image constructed through luminous colour harmonies, simplified shapes and emphatic outlines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eA closer look\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSusanna’s body provides the painting’s clearest visual anchor. Positioned slightly off-centre, she reclines across the composition rather than sitting upright in a formal pose. Her light skin is touched with pale yellow and soft pink, while delicate changes in tone give the figure a degree of volume despite the generally flattened treatment of light. A distinct contour separates her from the looser forms behind her, making the body appear both integrated into and suspended above its surroundings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAround this central figure, the scene becomes increasingly ambiguous. Deep blue and green passages collect along the upper edge, suggesting an enveloping backdrop without resolving into a precisely described landscape. On the left, darker forms create a forceful counterweight to Susanna’s paler body. Their blurred boundaries generate movement and tension, while the pink and peach areas beneath her resemble drapery or a cushioned surface without becoming fully literal. The cool blues and greens continually press against these warmer colours, producing much of the painting’s visual energy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn the lower right, a smaller, partly visible figure introduces a narrative disturbance. It is easy to overlook amid the surrounding colour, yet its presence complicates the apparent serenity of Susanna’s pose and connects the composition to the story implied by the title. Macke does not organise the scene around detailed gestures or clearly articulated architecture. Instead, slender lines and overlapping patches of colour bind figure and setting together, allowing the eye to move through the painting in a sequence of curves, contrasts and interruptions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eContext and significance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe subject of Susanna had a long history in European art, offering painters an opportunity to combine the nude with moral and dramatic narrative. Macke’s treatment departs from the descriptive emphasis of many earlier versions. The protagonists and setting are reduced, compressed and partially obscured, so that the act of looking—central to the biblical episode—is echoed in the viewer’s own effort to locate figures within the shifting composition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePainted during the brief, intensely productive final phase of Macke’s career, the work reflects his characteristic interest in reconciling recognisable human subjects with an increasingly independent use of colour. His life was cut short in 1914 during the opening months of the First World War, giving the paintings of 1913 particular poignancy within his compact body of work. \u003cem\u003eComposition II\u003c\/em\u003e remains compelling because it neither abandons narrative nor submits to it: Susanna’s story persists, but as a structure of glances, concealed presences and radiant chromatic relationships.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChoosing the right size and finish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eArtwork can feel intimate at smaller sizes and dramatically more architectural at larger ones. Use the room preview, model image and size guide to see how the proportions and scale will work in your space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf you need an exact size, specialist framing or help planning a larger display, \u003ca href=\"\/it\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003eask our workshop for advice\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe model in the listing images is holding the 16x16in (40x40cm) version of this art print.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhere personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, or one considered visual detail. \u003ca href=\"\/it\/pages\/map-personalisation\"\u003eSee examples of personalised artwork\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eChoose Original to retain the colour and character of the source artwork, or Aged for a warmer, more antique appearance. \u003ca target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/it\/pages\/sepia-aged-maps\"\u003eSee examples of our Aged artwork\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEvery piece is produced to archival standards using fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free matte art paper. Choose an art print, framed art print or framed canvas using the finish options above.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFramed art prints use crystal-clear optical acrylic for excellent clarity, lower weight and safer delivery than glass. Each piece arrives professionally framed and ready to hang.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSelected artworks can be produced at statement sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). Custom sizing and \u003ca target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/it\/pages\/custom-framing\"\u003especialist framing\u003c\/a\u003e are also available. If the exact option you need is not listed, \u003ca target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/it\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003econtact our workshop\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Unique Maps Co.","offers":[{"title":"10x10in (25x25cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":67624838300039,"sku":null,"price":39.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"10x10in (25x25cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":67624838332807,"sku":null,"price":95.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"10x10in (25x25cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":67624838365575,"sku":null,"price":105.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x12in (30x30cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":67624838398343,"sku":null,"price":39.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x12in (30x30cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":67624838431111,"sku":null,"price":105.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x12in (30x30cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":67624838463879,"sku":null,"price":110.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"14x14in (36x36cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":67624838496647,"sku":null,"price":48.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"14x14in (36x36cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":67624838529415,"sku":null,"price":130.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"14x14in (36x36cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":67624838562183,"sku":null,"price":140.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"16x16in (40x40cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":67624838594951,"sku":null,"price":57.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"16x16in (40x40cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":67624838627719,"sku":null,"price":130.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"16x16in (40x40cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":67624838660487,"sku":null,"price":140.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"18x18in (45x45cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":67624838693255,"sku":null,"price":63.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"18x18in (45x45cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":67624838726023,"sku":null,"price":150.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"18x18in (45x45cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":67624838758791,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x24in (60x60cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":67624838791559,"sku":null,"price":84.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x24in (60x60cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":67624838824327,"sku":null,"price":220.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x24in (60x60cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":67624838857095,"sku":null,"price":240.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"30x30in (75x75cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":67624838889863,"sku":null,"price":105.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"30x30in (75x75cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":67624838922631,"sku":null,"price":285.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"30x30in (75x75cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":67624838955399,"sku":null,"price":305.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"36x36in (90x90cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":67624838988167,"sku":null,"price":110.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"36x36in (90x90cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":67624839020935,"sku":null,"price":305.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"36x36in (90x90cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":67624839053703,"sku":null,"price":400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"45x45in (114x114cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":67624839086471,"sku":null,"price":250.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"45x45in (114x114cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":67624839119239,"sku":null,"price":930.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"45x45in (114x114cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":67624839152007,"sku":null,"price":930.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"50x50in (127x127cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":67624839184775,"sku":null,"price":305.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"50x50in (127x127cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":67624839217543,"sku":null,"price":1400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"50x50in (127x127cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":67624839250311,"sku":null,"price":1300.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"60x60in (150x150cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":67624839283079,"sku":null,"price":565.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"60x60in (150x150cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":67624839315847,"sku":null,"price":1975.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"60x60in (150x150cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":67624839348615,"sku":null,"price":1875.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0257\/0344\/8638\/files\/file_6c58d0f8-46ae-4904-b7c3-8eb866276b97.jpg?v=1791146920","url":"https:\/\/uniquemaps.co.uk\/it\/products\/composition-ii-susanna-in-the-bath-by-august-macke-1913","provider":"The Unique Maps Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}