Introduction: The Österreichische Galerie Belvedere is a museum located in Vienna, Austria. It is housed in the Belvedere Palace, which was built as a summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy in the early eighteenth century. The palace complex is set in a Baroque park landscape and includes the Upper and Lower Belvedere, the Orangery, and the Palace Stables.
The Museum Österreichische Galerie Belvedere (Vienna, Austria)
Introduction: The Österreichische Galerie Belvedere is a museum located in Vienna, Austria. It is housed in the Belvedere Palace, which was built as a summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy in the early eighteenth century. The palace complex is set in a Baroque park landscape and includes the Upper and Lower Belvedere, the Orangery, and the Palace Stables.
Collection: The Österreichische Galerie Belvedere has an extensive collection of Austrian art dating from the Middle Ages to the present day. It also includes works by international artists. The museum's collection is presented in a chronological order, with each period represented by a selection of artworks.
The Upper Belvedere is home to the museum's most famous works, including Gustav Klimt's The Kiss and Judith and the Head of Holofernes. The Lower Belvedere houses the museum's collection of Baroque art, as well as a collection of Austrian Biedermeier art.
History: The Belvedere Palace was built between 1714 and 1723 by Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt for Prince Eugene of Savoy. After the prince's death, the palace became the property of the Habsburg dynasty. In 1781, parts of the imperial collection were moved to the Belvedere Palace and the museum was opened to the public.
In 1903, the Modern Gallery was established in the Lower Belvedere, which paved the way for today's collection. The Österreichische Galerie Belvedere currently boasts 18,600 works covering 900 years of art history.
Exhibitions: In addition to its permanent collection, the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere also hosts temporary exhibitions. These exhibitions often focus on specific artists or periods in art history. For example, the exhibition "The Women of Klimt, Schiele and Kokoschka" explores the numerous and almost obsessive depictions of women painted by Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, and Oskar Kokoschka.
Access: The Österreichische Galerie Belvedere is easily accessible by public transportation. The museum is located in the third district of Vienna, on the south-eastern edge of its center. It is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00 and until 21:00 on Fridays.
Conclusion: The Österreichische Galerie Belvedere is a must-see for anyone interested in Austrian art. Its extensive collection, spanning nine centuries of art history, provides an almost complete overview of the development of art in Austria. The museum's location in the beautiful Belvedere Palace and its commitment to making images of artworks available online make it a truly unique cultural institution.
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