The artistic influence of Hans Makart effectively defined the visual culture of late nineteenth-century Vienna, manifesting in a pervasive aesthetic known as Makartstil. Born in Salzburg in 1840, he transitioned from a rejected student at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna to the acknowledged leader of the city's creative scene, eventually exerting immense authority over its public and private spaces.
Formative Years and Munich Training
Initial attempts at formal instruction at the Vienna Academy between 1850 and 1851 resulted in his departure after instructors deemed him devoid of talent. Seeking an alternative, he moved to Munich. Under the mentorship of Karl Theodor von Piloty from 1861 to 1865, he refined his focus on color over precision. Travels to London, Paris, and Rome further informed his development, leading to early successes such as Modern Amoretti and The Plague in Florence.
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Upon his return to Vienna at the invitation of the aristocracy, Prince Von Hohenlohe provided him with a foundry at Gusshausstraße 25. He transformed this space into a densely packed, luxurious environment filled with antiques, musical instruments, and sculptures. It became a prominent social hub, serving as a model for upper-middle-class interiors of the era and cementing his position as a mediator between the nobility and the burgeoning bourgeoisie.
The Makartstil and Public Pageantry
His influence extended beyond painting to interior, costume, and furniture design. In 1879, he designed a major pageant for the silver wedding anniversary of Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth of Bavaria. This event, known as the Makart-parade, featured the artist leading the procession on a white horse. His pursuit of the total work of art mirrored the contemporary ambitions of figures like Richard Wagner, blending historical motifs with dramatic aestheticism.
Later Commissions and Legacy
In 1882, the Emperor commissioned him to design decor for the Villa Hermes at Lainz, specifically requesting themes based on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Although he became a Professor at the Vienna Academy in 1879, his career was cut short by his death in 1884. His vast collection, numbering 1083 pieces, was eventually sold at auction by Hugo Othmar Miethke, and he was buried at the Vienna Central Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1840, Salzburg
- Died: 1884, Vienna
- Buried: Vienna Central Cemetery
- Movement: Orientalist painting
- Notable Works: The Death of Cleopatra, Abundantia. Les dons de la mer
- Occupations: Teacher, painter, architectural drafter
- Education: Academy of Fine Arts Vienna
Questions readers ask
What was the Makartstil?
It was an aesthetic movement led by Hans Makart that characterized the public and private design culture of Vienna in the 1870s, prioritizing vibrant color and theatrical, historical themes.
Why was The Entry of Charles V into Antwerp controversial?
The painting depicted nude virgins in a historical procession, which caused offense and prompted an investigation by American moralist Anthony Comstock, paradoxically boosting the artist's international fame.
Achievements
- Notable work: The Death of Cleopatra
- Notable work: The Death of Cleopatra.
- Notable work: Abundantia. Les dons de la mer
- Movement: Orientalist painting
