die funf sinne geschmack Hans Makart (1840-1884)

The composition presents a vertical arrangement dominated by a female figure positioned centrally within a dense, ambiguous setting. The womans back is turned towards the viewer, directing our gaze toward her reaching arm and the foliage above. Her posture suggests effort; she strains upward, attempting to grasp at something beyond her immediate reach.
The artist has rendered the skin with a delicate attention to detail, emphasizing its texture and contours through subtle gradations of light and shadow. The hair, a vibrant reddish-orange, contrasts sharply with the pale flesh, drawing focus to her head and upper body. A sense of vulnerability is conveyed by the figure’s nudity, which isnt presented in a purely sensual manner but rather as an element contributing to the overall narrative of striving and desire.
The background is rendered in muted tones of brown, green, and orange, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere that obscures any clear spatial context. The foliage above appears abundant and almost overwhelming, its color echoing the warmth of the hair and suggesting a connection between the figure and her environment. It’s difficult to discern whether this is a natural setting or something more symbolic; the lack of depth and distinct features contributes to an unsettling ambiguity.
The subtexts within the painting revolve around themes of aspiration, temptation, and perhaps even frustration. The act of reaching implies a longing for something unattainable, while the obscured background hints at hidden complexities or obstacles. The figure’s posture suggests both determination and a degree of struggle, implying that achieving her goal will not be effortless. Theres an underlying tension between the desire to connect with the abundance above and the limitations imposed by her physical form and surroundings. The overall effect is one of quiet yearning and unresolved potential.