• Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna - The Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna is best described as a ‘temple of art’. Even its architecture, designed in the best traditions of historicism, combines the details of temples from the three principal Western cultures. Here you will find all the gods and heroes of the Western European art Olympus: Arcimboldo, Brueghel, Velasquez, Holbein, Dürer, Giorgione, Cranach, Raphael, Rembrandt, Rubens, Titian.

Like any Western museum that claims to be universal, the Kunsthistorisches Museum also has collections of Egyptian, Greek and Roman art. A big part of the museum is devoted to the unique cabinets of curiosities.

The museum’s curators have drawn up an informative list for visitors, including 700 masterpieces for local art lovers, 100 for regular visitors and 35 “must-sees” for first-time visitors. On this art tour, we follow the curators’ shortlist and take a close look at world-renowned masterpieces from a different perspective to understand what makes each work of art so special.

• Maria Theresien Square - The place to meet for your museum tour

• Professional Art Historian guide

• Museum admission tickets

The elaborate Vienna Art History Museum hosts countless pieces of art spread across many of its ornate rooms, each having its distinct appeal. The challenge arises, however, in discerning which pieces hold greater significance and for what reasons.

The Critical Art Tour caters to art enthusiasts seeking to unravel the inherent allure of globally acclaimed masterpieces. Is it the exceptional artistry and the expression of creative prowess that captivate observers, or could it be pure accident and effective promotion?

Within the scope of the tour, we aim to inspect esteemed artworks from various angles, understanding why they’ve secured a spot on the museum’s must-visit list - and how this list may potentially evolve.

The knowledge you’ll acquire:

• The attributes that transformed ‘Saliera’ by Benvenuto Cellini into the Austrian equivalent of ‘Mona Lisa’ – is it down to artistry or its felonious history?
• The factors leading us to perceive Pieter Breugel’s ‘Tower of Babel’ as accurate, despite our awareness of its architectural anomalies?
• What insights can the Reserve Head and a Hippo from Ancient Egypt provide about our ability to comprehend its civilization?
• Minimum age recomended is 14 years

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