Hans Makart was a decorative, Austrian painter, who was regarded as the representative painter of the ring road style. The ring road style was a specific expression of historicism stylistically based around the inner city of Vienna with its historic structures and considered to be the main attraction of Austria during the nineteenth century.

Hans Makart, his given name Johann Evangelist Apolinaris Makart Ferdinand of the Zimmeraufsehers in Mirabell Palace Makart, was the son of John and his wife, Mary Catherine Rüssemayr. For a short itme, in 1858, Makart wnet to Vienna to study and teach at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna but was dismissed for not being talented. He then turned to Munich where he studied and met his long-time friend, Schiffmann in 1861.

In 1862, Makart traveled to London, Paris and Italy when in 1869 he was appointed in Vienna, where at the government's expense his studio was set up. During this time, he married but his wife died only 3 years later. After her death, Makart traveled to Cairo, Spain, Morocco, Belgium and the Netherlands; all at the expense of the government, as by 1878, he was the head of the Department of history painting.

In his studio, many lavish celebrations were held, in which important personalities of the time participated. Many times the guests were requested to come dressed in costume, especially Renaissance costumes. Many of Makart's sketches reflect the costumes from these soirées. By this time, Makart was considered to be closest in style to a symbolist rather than an academic painter.

In 1869, after Makart returned from Rome to Vienna, under the orders of Emperor Franz Joseph Makart had to leave his studio to reside in a studio apartment in the home of sculptor Anton Dominik Fernkorns. In 1872 Makart at his own expense, built a new studio in the Gusshausstrasse , with furniture, carpets, antiques and abundant weapons. The bottom floor of the old studios served as home. From 1873 Makart and his new wife, found the legendary studio festive, having many prominent guests visit him there. Makarts studio, which is also open to the public, was to a veritable tourist attraction. In 1875 was a festival was given in honor of Richard Wagner, during which the painter Arnold Böcklin was present and Franz Liszt played piano. Makart presented his large studio with other fellow artists free of charge. Several artists recorded Makarts' studio in their own art.

After Makart's death in 1884, his studio stood empty and was eventually demolished in 1916 but he did receive an honorary grave at Vienna's Central Cemetery, designed by by Edmund Hellmer.

The Austrians made several special postal stamps in honor of Hans Makart. In 1932, a series of 6 Austrian stamps were issued with the portrait of Hans Makart. And finally, in 1990 a special stamp to dedicated to Hans Makart celebrating his 150th birthday.

After his early death was the general feeling that an era with him going to end, and in fact, for decades he was ridiculed for his figures. He did, however, have a a significant influence on the younger painters, such as Gustav Klimt, and Hans Zatzka.

Faun and Nymph (Pan and Flora) 1872 Oil on canvas 62 1/8" x 37 3/8" Private collection	Messalina 1875 Oil on Canvas 56 1/4" x 89 1/4" Historisches Museum der Stadt Wien, Vienna, Austria	Gothic cemetary, fron tower St. Michaels 1883 oil and ink on canvas 135" x 101 7/8" Public collection
Victory of Light over Darkness 1883 - 1884 Oil on canvas 66 7/8" x 72 3/8" Östereichische Galerie Belvedere, Wien, Austria	Stilleben mit Rosen Still Life with Roses 1870 - 1872 Oil on canvas 53 7/8" x 29 1/2" Residenzgalerie, Salzburg, Austria	Kinderbild Child Portrait 1871 Oil on canvas 42 7/8" x 68 7/8" Historisches Museum der Stadt Wien, Vienna, Austria