(b. 1791, Lõcse, d. 1860, Villa Appeggi)

The Puszta 1853 Oil on canvas, 39,5 x 52 cm Hungarian National Gallery, Budapest

Markó often interrupted his stay in Italy for the sake of paying a visit to Hungary. This work, made in 1853, is considered a rarity, because, except for a few works during the earliest period of his career, he never painted Hungarian landscapes. Although his art can largely be classified as late neo-classicist, this time Markó chose a romantic motif. He depicted the Puszta, the region of the country which is still thought to be the most special and the most interesting, with a sweep-pole well, its mandatory symbol. A rainbow glows in the stormy sky. One is reminded of the anxiety felt before a storm by the ponderous, dark clouds. Besides the subject of the painting, its style also shows the traits of romanticism, with special regards to its composition which is built on the contrast between light and dark.

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Author: MARKÓ, Károly the Elder Title: The Puszta Time-line: 1801-1850 School: Hungarian Form: painting