• Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna -

The phrase

The temple of art

aptly captures the essence of the Art History Museum in Vienna. Its architecture, a testament to the finest historicist traditions, melds elements from the principal temples of the three major Western cultures. Here, one can encounter the pantheon of Western European art’s deities and demigods, including the likes of Arcimboldo, Brueghel, Velasquez, Holbein, Dürer, Giorgione, Cranach, Raphael, Rembrandt, Rubens, and Titian, arranged alphabetically.

Like any Western museum with a claim to universality, the Kunsthistorisches Museum boasts collections that span Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art, alongside a numismatic cabinet. Additionally, a full quarter of the museum’s display area is dedicated to the Cabinets of curiosities, an eclectic showcase featuring indoor sculptures, ecclesiastical vessels, ornamental pieces, and scientific apparatus, essentially a compilation of items deemed unique and exceptionally valuable.

The museum’s curators have meticulously compiled a guide for visitors, which includes 700 masterpieces for the local connoisseurs, 100 for frequent visitors, and 35 essential works for first-timers. This art journey adheres to the curators’ condensed guide, offering an in-depth exploration of universally acclaimed masterpieces, examining them from various angles to grasp the unique significance of each piece.

• Entry or admission fee included
• Guidance from a professional art historian

The designation of “masterpiece” bestows a work of art with a distinguished status, and for those visiting a museum for the first time, witnessing renowned works by famous masters is a priority. The Museum of the History of Art in Vienna houses numerous paintings, gems, and statues that are considered world-famous masterpieces. These include paintings by Rembrandt, Cranach, Vermeer, Raphael, and Caravaggio, sculptures by Canova and Gianbologna, as well as creations by ancient Greek and Roman artists. No expertise is required to appreciate their works.

This museum tour caters to those who appreciate both aesthetic and intellectual pleasures. Visitors will explore the collections of one of the world’s finest art museums, examining masterpieces from various perspectives to understand why certain works, rather than others nearby, have earned a place on the must-see list.

The tour follows the museum’s list of most valuable exhibits, providing not only their official histories and characteristics but also insights into how artists have engaged our cognition and employed clever self-promotion. Discussions will also cover the transient nature of fame and the influence of the spirit and taste of the times.

Among the significant masterpieces to be explored in detail are Benvenuto Cellini’s “Saliera,” Raphael’s “Madonna in the Meadow,” Peter Brueghel’s “The Tower of Babel” and “Hunters in the Snow,” Caravaggio’s “Madonna with Beads,” Vermeer’s “Allegory of Painting,” as well as The Reserve Head from the Egyptian collection and the Sarcophagus with Amazons from the Greek collection.

On this tour, participants can not only enjoy the art but also gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of what constitutes “genius.”

• Confirmation will be received at the time of booking
• Please come punctually to the meeting point in front of the museum main entrance. There are three doors and the central one is closed. Your guide will be waiting for you in front of it.
• This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
• You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.