HANS MAKART, 1840 - 1884, SCHOOL

Hans Makart
1840 - 1884, School
The Sense of Smell
From the series "The Five Senses"
Oil on canvas
155 x 79.5 cm, with frame 168 x 95 cm
See Belvedere Vienna

Hans Makart is one of the most significant representatives of Austrian Historicism and, as a leading painter of the Vienna Ringstrasse era, had a lasting impact on the art scene of the late 19th century. After training at the academies in Vienna and Munich, he developed a distinctive visual language characterized by opulent color, sensual texture, and a pronounced decorative effect. As a celebrated artist of his time, Makart was not only a painter but also a designer of festive processions and interiors, and he influenced the taste of an entire era—the so - called “Makart style” became the epitome of a representative, opulent aesthetic.
The cycle of the “Five Senses” is one of the most popular themes in art history and was frequently explored, particularly in the 19th century. The senses—sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch—provided inspiration for allegorical representations, which were often embodied by female figures. In this context, smell stands as a sense of perception, seduction, and sensual experience. It is often symbolized by flowers, particularly roses, whose fragrance is regarded as the epitome of fleeting yet intense sensory impressions. In Makart’s visual world, this theme is combined with a distinctly physical yet aesthetically idealized depiction of the female nude.
The painting depicts a standing semi - nude figure against a dark landscape in which trees are faintly silhouetted. The woman has her head turned slightly away and is completely absorbed in the act of smelling. With her right hand, she brings a pink rose close to her face, while her left hand rests gracefully above her head. Precious jewelry adorns her arm as well as the belt to which a cloth is attached, draped loosely over her hips and covering her pubic area. The deliberate play of light highlights the soft contours of the body and emphasizes the sensual quality of the scene. The combination of floral symbolism and feminine grace lends the depiction an effect that is both intimate and decorative.
Makart’s significance lies not only in the technical virtuosity of his painting but also in his ability to combine sensuality and representation. His style is characterized by a rich, warm color palette, a painterly, dense surface, and a penchant for luxurious details. In his allegorical depictions, he succeeds in translating traditional themes into a modern visual language focused on impact and atmosphere. Works such as this one exemplify the combination of decorative splendor and sensual intensity that made Makart one of the defining artists of his time.