Die fünf Sinne: Das Gefühl

About this artwork

Allgemeiner Katalogtext siehe Frodl, Makart, 2013, Kat. Nr. 392/1–5.

Art Historical Context

Hans Makart's *Die fünf Sinne: Das Gefühl (The Five Senses Touch), painted in oil on canvas between 2 and 1879, is a striking panel from a rare series exploring the human senses. Measuring an impressive 314 x 70 cm, this tall, narrow composition belongs to the Belvedere Collection Vienna, where it exemplifies Makart's mastery of allegorical grandeur. As one of five works cataloged together (Frodl, *Makart*, 2013, Kat. Nr. 392/1–5), it viewers to contemplate touch through the artist's sensual lens, a theme resonant in 19th-century Viennese culture amid the city's opulent Gründerzeit era. Makart, often called the "painter prince" of Vienna, blended academic precision with lavish historicism, creating works that adorned palaces and public spaces. His technique in oil—rich glazes and dramatic lighting—brings tactile intimacy to life, emphasizing fabrics, skin, and forms that evoke sensory delight. This piece reflects the period's fascination with sensory experience, influenced by Wagnerian excess and orientalist motifs, making it a cultural touchstone of Habsburg splendor. Housed in the Belvedere, *Das Gefühl* offers a window into Makart's enduring appeal, bridging fine art and decorative splendor for a discerning Viennese elite.

About the Artist

Hans Makart · 1840–1884

Comment on works: History; Genre