Venedig Huldigt Catarina Cornero 1872

Hans Makart created this oil on canvas painting titled “Venedig Huldigt Catarina Cornero.” The painting's texture is built through dense layers of brushstrokes, creating an active surface. The pigment itself is thickly applied, giving a tactile quality to the scene. Look closely, and you can see that the brushstrokes are almost sculptural. They model the forms and capture the chaotic energy of the scene. Makart masterfully uses color to draw the eye. Note the strategic placement of bright reds amidst a sea of darker tones. This directs our attention and enlivens the composition. In his time, Makart was known as the ‘magician of color’, and the expressive use of paint in this picture makes that clear. His choices regarding materials, methods, and subjects appealed to the bourgeoisie, contributing to his popularity and wealth. Understanding the materials and making of this artwork, we can see that it is more than just a representation, but a physical embodiment of artistry.