Kunsthistorisches Museum
Wien
The Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, Austria, is the country's largest and one of the world's most significant art museums. Opened in 1891 by Emperor Franz Joseph I, it was designed by Gottfried Semper and Baron Karl von Hasenauer in a grand Renaissance Revival style, featuring an octagonal dome and lavishly decorated interiors with marble, stucco, gold leaf, and murals. The museum was established to house the extensive art collections of the Habsburg dynasty, making these treasures accessible to the public. Its collections include masterpieces from the Italian Renaissance, Northern Renaissance, and Baroque periods, featuring works by artists such as Jan van Eyck, Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Pieter Brueghel the Elder, Rembrandt, and Johannes Vermeer. The grand staircase is adorned with paintings by Gustav Klimt and others, enhancing the museum’s artistic atmosphere. Beyond paintings, the museum holds important collections of Egyptian and Near Eastern artifacts, Greek and Roman antiquities, sculptures, decorative arts, coins, and musical instruments. The building itself, part of Vienna's historic city center and adjacent to the Natural History Museum, is a cultural landmark crowned with a bronze statue of Pallas Athene. The Kunsthistorisches Museum offers visitors a comprehensive journey through art history within a magnificent architectural setting.
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Tip: Visit the Kunsthistorisches Museum during weekdays or early mornings to avoid crowds. Purchasing tickets online in advance is recommended to skip lines. Check for combined tickets or discounts available for students, seniors, and groups. The museum is closed on Mondays, so plan your visit accordingly. Audio guides and guided tours enhance the experience and can be reserved ahead of time.
Interesting facts
- •The museum's grand staircase features murals by Gustav Klimt and his brother Ernst Klimt.
- •The building is crowned by a 60-meter-high octagonal dome topped with a bronze statue of Pallas Athene.
- •It houses the famous painting 'The Art of Painting' by Johannes Vermeer, considered one of his masterpieces.
- •The Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Natural History Museum were built simultaneously as twin palatial buildings facing Maria-Theresien-Platz.
- •The museum's collection includes the 'Theatrum Pictorium', the first illustrated catalog of old master paintings compiled by Archduke Leopold Wilhelm.
History
The Kunsthistorisches Museum was commissioned by Emperor Franz Joseph I following the demolition of Vienna's city walls in 1857, as part of the Ringstraße development.
Construction began in 1871 and was completed in 1891, designed by Gottfried Semper and Carl von Hasenauer in the Renaissance Revival style.
The museum was intended to unify and display the imperial Habsburg art collections, which included portraits, armor, and paintings amassed by rulers such as Ferdinand of Tirol, Emperor Rudolph II, and Archduke Leopold Wilhelm.
Despite initial plans for a larger Kaiserforum complex, only the museum and the adjacent Natural History Museum were built.
The building’s decoration was executed by prominent sculptors and painters, and the museum has since grown to house one of the most important art collections worldwide.
Place Guide
Grand Staircase1891
The grand staircase is a highlight of the museum, adorned with murals by Gustav Klimt, Ernst Klimt, Franz Matsch, Hans Makart, and Mihály Munkácsy, creating an impressive artistic entrance.
Picture GalleryVarious, mainly 15th to 17th centuries
This gallery holds the museum’s primary collection of paintings from the Habsburgs, including works by Jan van Eyck, Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Pieter Brueghel the Elder, Rembrandt, and Johannes Vermeer.
Egyptian and Near Eastern Collection
A vast collection showcasing artifacts from ancient Egypt and the Near East, illustrating the early civilizations' art and culture.
Collection of Greek and Roman Antiquities
This section exhibits sculptures, vases, and artifacts from classical antiquity, highlighting the art and culture of ancient Greece and Rome.
Imperial ArmouryVarious
Displays a remarkable collection of armor and weapons from the Habsburg dynasty, reflecting the military history and craftsmanship of the period.
Contact
Phone: 01 525240
