Hans
Makart(b Salzburg, 28 May 1840; d Vienna, 3
Oct 1884).
Austrian painter. He studied (1860–65) at the Akademie in Munich under the history painter Karl
Theodor von Piloty whose influence is evident in
Makart’s Death of Pappenheim (1861; Vienna, Hist.
Mus.). Makart visited London and Paris in 1862 and Rome
in 1863. The Papal Election (1863–5; Munich, Neue
Pin.) reveals Makart’s skill in the bold use of colour
to convey drama as well as his virtuoso draughtsmanship.
Two decorative triptychs, Modern Cupids (1868;
Vienna, Zentsparkasse), and the Plague in Florence
(1868; Schweinfurt, Samml. Schäfer), brought Makart both
fame and disapproval (mostly because they lacked a
literary original) when exhibited in Munich in 1868. His
plan for the second work (c. 1868; St Gall,
Kstmus.) shows a setting of sombre
magnificence.