The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-01-27

Hans Makart, the Austrian Painter.
Hans Makart died October 8, 1884.
He is usually regarded as the great
est of Austrian painters. AS a mas
ter of color he was unequalled among
modern artists, but was surpassed by
some, perhaps by many, in concep-
ton and skill in drawing. What
Wagner did in the world of music,
did Makart in that of painting,
namely, divided it into worshipping
admirers and as earnest detractors.
The balance predominated in his
favor, and he died eneompassed with
donors.
Taken as a whole, his life is but
sad story. The man was naturally of
morbid intellect, impetuOus to reck-
Iessness, and voluptuous. External
success and circumstances of splendor
did not outweigh, in the history of
Hans Makart, the sufferiugs origi-
mating from his Unbalanced judg-
hSHIJ Ills SACSSSSS anu thC tChNCHCJ
to lunacy to which he was always af
flicted.
He was born in SaIzburg, May %,
1910. AS a pupil in the study of
Piloty, in Munich, he manifested re-
narkable ability, and in time sur
passed his master. In 1866 he ex-
hibited his first picture. It subject
was sleeping man embraced by a
nymph, and was treated with re-
Inarkable brilliancy of coloring
which characterized all Makart's
work. His second picture was "Mod
ern Cupids," and this, associated with
the striking characteristics of the
first, which it surpassed in general
excellence, gave the artist celebrity.
"Roman Ruinsp was exhibited at the
Paris Exhibition of 1867, and en-
HANGED Makart's reputation. The
financial gain resulting from these
successes was augmented by large
earnings he made for decorating the
dining-room of q Hungarian noble.
He then travelled extensively, visit
ing all the principal cities in Italy,
including q stay of several months
duration in Rome, and in Egypt.
Returning with notebooks full of
material, he resumed work in Vienna,
where most of his pictures were pro-
duced. OF these the best known are
the "Entry of Charles V. into Ant
werp," "Romeo by the body of
Juliet" Cleopatra, "Leda," and
'Modern Cupids." His first histori-
cal picture, "Catharine Cornaro," is
now at the Berlin National Gallery,
for which it was bought at the cost of
5000. Among his latest works of
reputation was "Diana's Hunt" He
died in the city of Vienna, leaving
two unfinished pictures in his studio,
one ga Bacchante," and the other
Spring" this recently completed.
His hand was engaged on these two
pictures only two days before his
death.
Makart was voluptuOus and loved
splendid surroundings. His studio,
now the property of his widow, is
worth above 100000. It contains
precious pictures, old tapestries,
ivories and armories. He is said to
have entertained the Emperor Fran
els Joseph and his Court on one occa-
sion, at fancy ball, in which all the
costumes were designed by his hand
and produced with the utmost mag
nificence. Rank, wealth and beauty,
as well as genius, frequented his
studio, the owner of which largely
dissipated his powers in the pursuit
Of pleasure.
While living in Munich he married
an amiable and beautiful girl, of
whom it is related that, to crafty his
preference for golden hair, she dyed
her raven locks the color he affected.
She died of consumption, leaving a
girl and boy, his only children, who
survive their father. In 1882 Makart
married Mile. Linda, the premiere
danseuSe of the Vienna Opera House.
His first marriage had been singu-
larly happy one; his second was most
unfortunate. It was followed by
shameful stories of alleged infidelity
on the part of the wife, and the reck-
less dissipation of the husband. In
August last he was attacked by in
sanity. Exhausted by overwork and
fast living, his mental condition be-
came such that he no longer was able
to distinguish colors: he saw red
trees and yellow mountains. An
order for paintings for the new hunt
ing-box which the Emperor is hay
ing built for the Empress at the
ThiergGrten, near Vienna, greatly oc-
cupied him for some time and