Hans Makart (1840 - 1884)

Hans Makart

Hans Makart was an Austrian painter of the second half of the 19th century. He became famous as a master of historical painting, still life, allegory, landscape, and portrait. Most of his paintings were painted in the academic style. Makart was also a sought-after stage decorator, costume designer, furniture and interior designer.

Hans Makart was very popular in Vienna, and his studio was a place of attraction for the cream of Vienna's society. After the artist was even named a separate style of art with its characteristic flowing forms and bright colors - "Makartstil". Makart constantly organized grand festivals in his studio, which were willingly attended by members of the imperial family. He made it ultra fashionable to have a new style of interior and soon most of the apartments of wealthy citizens of Vienna were furnished on the model of his salon.

Makart was a professor of historical painting at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts and head of the Künstlerhaus, the largest exhibition complex in the Austrian capital. In 1879, on the occasion of the silver wedding of the imperial couple, Makart organized a grandiose theatrical performance, the sketches for which have survived to this day.