The victory of light over darkness 1883 - 1884

Hans Makart created "The Victory of Light over Darkness" during a time when Vienna was celebrating its own cultural richness with grand, public art displays. Makart was known for his opulent, theatrical style, and this painting captures that perfectly. The scene is filled with mythological figures, and the contrast between light and shadow isn't just visual. It also speaks to the social dynamics of the time. Who gets to be in the light, celebrated and visible? The pale, idealized bodies contrast sharply with the darker, more obscured figures, reflecting the racial and social hierarchies of 19th-century European society. Looking at the female figures, they're depicted as ethereal and sensual, reinforcing traditional gender roles. It’s hard to ignore that Makart himself was a celebrity in Vienna, and his art was part of creating a glamorous, yet exclusive, vision of society. "The Victory of Light over Darkness" invites us to reflect on how art can perpetuate or challenge the status quo, and to consider whose stories are being told, and whose are left in the shadows.