Life and Career
Hans Makart, a 19th-century Austrian academic history painter, designer, and decorator, was born on May 28, 1840, in the former residence of the prince-archbishops of Salzburg. Initially, he received his training in painting at the
Vienna Academy between 1850 and 1851 from Johann Fischbach. However, due to his poor draughtsmanship but passionate love for color, Makart was forced to leave the Vienna Academy.
Artistic Style and Influences
Makart's style developed under the guidance of Karl Theodor von Piloty between 1861 and 1865. He also traveled to London, Paris, and Rome to further his studies. His first notable work,
Lavoisier in Prison, showcased his sense of color, while
The Knight and the Water Nymphs displayed his decorative qualities.
Establishing Fame and Legacy
Makart's fame was established with works like
Modern Amoretti and
The Plague in Florence. His painting
Romeo and Juliet was bought by the Austrian emperor for the Vienna Museum, cementing his status as a leading artist. Makart's luxurious studio, provided by Prince Von Hohenlohe, became a social meeting point in Vienna.
Key Contributions and Later Life
Makart designed a pageant to celebrate the Silver Wedding Anniversary of Emperor Franz Joseph I and his wife Elisabeth of Bavaria, known as the Makart-parade. He also became a Professor at the
Vienna Academy in 1879. Makart's work characterized the era, earning him the term Makartstil, or "Makart style."
- Notable Works:
- Influences:
- Karl Theodor von Piloty
- Vienna Academy
- European art movements (e.g., Symbolism, Art Nouveau)
Legacy and Remembrance
Makart's collection of antiques and art, consisting of 1083 pieces, was put up for auction by art-dealer H.O. Miethke after his death on October 3, 1884.
- View Makart's Artworks: [https://WahooArt.com/@/Hans_Makart](https://WahooArt.com/@/Hans_Makart)
- Explore Symbolist Painting: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbolist_painting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbolist_painting)
Further Reading
For more on Makart and his contemporaries, see the exhibition
Facing the Modern: The Portrait in Vienna 1900, which explores the development of portraiture in early 20th-century Vienna. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facing_the_Modern:_The_Portrait_in_Vienna_1900](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facing_the_Modern:_The_Portrait_in_Vienna_1900)