• 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 label of a masterpiece dignifies an artwork with a unique status and if you’re making your inaugural visit to a museum, you’d want to appreciate the famed pieces by esteemed artists. The Museum of Art History in Vienna boasts numerous renowned masterpieces inclusive of paintings, jewels, and statues. Among them are artworks by the likes of Rembrandt, Cranach, Vermeer, Raphael, and Caravaggio, as well as sculptures by Canova and Gianbologna, and creations by ancient Greek and Roman artisans. You don’t need to be an expert to absorb the beauty of their creations.

This museum tour is designed for those who appreciate both the aesthetic and intellectual aspects of art. We will traverse the exhibits of one of the world’s prime art museums, examining masterpieces from various angles to discern why a particular piece, as opposed to its neighbor, has earned a spot on the must-see list.

To accomplish this, we shall adhere to the museum’s roster of high-value exhibits where I will narrate their official histories and unique features. In addition, I will expose how artists have manipulated our cognition and proficiently marketed themselves. We shall delve into the fickleness of worldly renown and the influence of contemporary spirit and trends.

Some of the significant pieces we will explore in-depth include ‘Saliera’ by Benvenuto Cellini, ‘Madonna in the Meadow’ by Raphael, ‘The Tower of Babel’ and ‘Hunters in the Snow’ by Peter Brueghel, ‘Madonna with Beads’ by Caravaggio, ‘Allegory of Painting’ by Vermeer, The Reserve Head from the Egyptian anthology, and the Sarcophagus with Amazons from the Greek assortment.

By touring with me, you won’t just relish the art but also familiarise yourself a tad more with the subtle intricacies 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.