Hunting Still Life

In the centre lies a dead pheasant on a decorated powder flask and a hunting weapon. Beside its head lie two measuring instruments – possibly a compass and a watch, the turquoise cord contrasting effectively with the dominating golden ground. White roses, red flowers and poppy pods are further ingredients of this "Hunting Still Life", to which a butterfly, dragonflies and possibly a bee bring a vital spark. Under the decorative arrangement, at the centre of the garland of flowers and accentuated with a white cloth, is a tortoise – noted by Husty, in many Asian traditions, as a symbol of good fortune and eternal life. The work remained in Makart’s possession until his death, as the stamp on the back of the canvas confirms: "HANS MAKART / NACHLASS / WIEN 1885". Even before the death of his second wife, Bertha Makart née Babitsch (1850–1928), it was auctioned at the 365th art auction in the Vienna Dorotheum in 1925.

Ducke Astrid: Hans Makart, Hunting Still Life, in: Ducke Astrid, Habersatter Thomas (Hrsg./Edi.): von | from 0 auf | to 100. Residenzgalerie Salzburg 1923-2023. Salzburg 2023, S./p. 316-317