The Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Art History) is a grand palatial building located on the Ringstrasse in Vienna, Austria. It was built between 1871 and 1891 by Gottfried Semper and Baron Karl von Hasenauer to house the Habsburgs' formidable art collection and make it accessible to the public (Kunsthistorisches Museum).
Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, Austria
The Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Art History) is a grand palatial building located on the Ringstrasse in Vienna, Austria. It was built between 1871 and 1891 by Gottfried Semper and Baron Karl von Hasenauer to house the Habsburgs' formidable art collection and make it accessible to the public (Kunsthistorisches Museum).
The museum is home to several self-contained sections addressing different kinds of art or eras. The galleries of paintings are particularly impressive, featuring numerous works by a who’s who of western European painting pre-1800 (Kunsthistorisches Museum(
Painting Gallery)). Among the highlights are works by Hugo Van Der Goes, such as 'The Fall' (
Painting by Hugo Van Der Goes : The Fall), and Giuseppe Arcimboldo's 'Water' (
Painting by Giuseppe Arcimboldo : Water).
The museum also includes a collection of decorative arts, such as silver and metalwork, including the 'Inkstand' by Wenzel Jamnitzer (
Painting by Wenzel Jamnitzer : Inkstand). The museum also has a collection of sculptures, including the 'Vanitas' by Gregor Erhart (
Painting by Gregor Erhart : Vanitas) and a collection of ancient art, including the Egyptian Museum (
Egyptian Museum).
The museum building itself is an impressive work of architecture, featuring lavishly decorated interiors with marble, stucco ornamentation, gold-leaf, and murals (Kunsthistorisches Museum(
Overview)). The grand stairway features paintings by Gustav Klimt, Ernst Klimt, Franz Matsch, Hans Makart and Mihály Munkácsy (Kunsthistorisches Museum(
The Museum)).
In addition to the permanent collections, the museum hosts special exhibitions throughout the year, including those covering more contemporary art (Kunsthistorisches Museum(
Special Exhibitions)). The big year-end exhibition for 2023, for example, is on monumental Renaissance tapestries and the role played by Raphael in their artistic evolution (Kunsthistorisches Museum(
Raphael's Tapestries)).
The museum is open daily, except for Mondays, and tickets can be purchased at the museum or online (Kunsthistorisches Museum(
Visit)). The museum also offers guided tours, audio guides, and a variety of educational programs for children and adults (Kunsthistorisches Museum(
Education)).
In conclusion, the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna is a must-visit destination for art lovers and history buffs alike. With its impressive collection of art and artifacts, stunning architecture, and special exhibitions, it offers something for everyone (Kunsthistorisches Museum(
Overview)).