Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, a Crisp Guide
Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna is rated among the world’s foremost art history museums! It was an enchanting experience moving from one room to another filled with works spanning five millennia, from Ancient Egypt to the modern era.
Noteworthy major works here are by Rubens, Dürer, Raphael, Titian and Velázquez. This museum also has the world’s largest collection of Bruegel paintings, all in a magnificent setting.
Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna (KHM)
History and Architecture
The Vienna art museum houses the Habsburg collections accumulated over centuries. It was built by Emperor Franz Joseph in 19th century, completed in 1891 as part of an unfinished Vienna city development project.
As you stand facing it wondering at the architecture of the humongous building turn around to the Natural History Museum opposite, its identical twin. The Kunsthistorisches Museum (KHM) was commissioned, together with its twin, the Naturhistorisches Museum (NHM), by the late emperor Franz Joseph. Karl Hasenauer and Gottfried Semper were the architects of both buildings. Both are rectangular with an octagonal cupola dome.
Facade of the Vienna art history museum features a series of statues built as the personification of the arts and art history, together with representations of real people: famous artists and their sponsors.
The architecture and design of the Wien Museum enhanced the overall experience. Grand staircases, intricate ceilings, and luxurious interiors create a sense of grandeur and sophistication!
Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna Austria
Tips to Plan your Tour through Kunsthistorisches Museum
The Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna offers a diverse range of sections and collections to explore. It is a treasure house of art and antiques and to see and admire all of them a day is not enough. Couple of things to keep in mind before you plan to tour through this Vienna Art Museum:
- It is best you take a floor plan and make a good study of the rooms dedicated to various themes. That will be helpful to decide which to cover which not to, especially if you don’t have much time in hand.
- Use the audio guide is to your advantage.
See some artwork by Rubens – Cathedral of Our Lady Antwerp, Belgium
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Is Vienna Kunsthistorisches Museum worth visiting?
Whatever the ticket price, art lovers will nod with me in agreement that THIS IS WORTH IT! This museum has so many famous artists and collection of artefacts from the ancient world – ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, ancient Rome; I spent more than two hours in this museum. I was really glad the kids, 15 and 11, didn’t complain and cooperated well. To be frank you need minimum 2 hours and that is with not long pauses at each paintings and displays!
The pictures are arranged in themes, but they keep changing. They allow photography, I wanted to take pictures on all the allowed ones, since I wanted to capture all the beauty, but in the end I decided not to and to just enjoy them in that very moment.
Kunsthistorisches Museum Ceiling
Different Rooms in Kunsthistorisches Museum
- Picture Gallery
- Coin Collections
- Near Eastern Egyptian Collection
- Greek and Roman Antiquities
- Kunstkammer Collections
Picture Gallery: This section boasts of an exceptional collection of Old Masters. Here I saw the paintings that I had previously only seen in books or online. The beauty and detail of the real paintings can be truly appreciated in person. The skillful brushstrokes, vibrant colors, and expressive compositions transported me into the world of the artists.
Moving through the museum, I discovered more rooms dedicated to various artistic periods and styles. The Baroque galleries showcased ornate sculptures, exquisite furniture, and elaborate tapestries, reflecting the grandeur and opulence of the era. The museum’s collection of Renaissance art was equally captivating, with delicate portraits and religious masterpieces that captured the spirit of the time.
Coin Collection: The upper floors of the Kunsthistorisches Museum house a remarkable coin collection that is truly extraordinary in its scale and significance. With over 60,000 pieces on display The Coin Cabinet presents a comprehensive collection of coins, medals, and banknotes from different historical periods.
The Habsburgs, known for their passion for collecting, amassed a vast array of coins, paper money, and medallions from various corners of the globe. This comprehensive collection showcases the diversity of currencies and monetary systems throughout history.
Among the highlights of the collection is the alchemical medallion of Emperor Leopold I, a captivating showpiece that embodies the mystical and symbolic world of alchemy. This extraordinary medallion serves as a testament to the Emperor’s fascination with the esoteric arts and reflects the intersection of science, philosophy, and power during his reign.
Within the halls of the coin collection, there are portrait miniatures that capture the essence of long-gone European rulers. These delicately crafted miniatures were used for courtship or as mementos among the royal elites, offer a glimpse into the art of portraiture and the cultural significance of these intimate keepsakes.
In addition to the coins and miniatures, the exhibition also features coin pressing and paper printing devices, providing insights into the technology and craftsmanship behind the creation of currencies and banknotes.
Egyptian Collection in Kunsthistorisches Top Museums of Vienna
Egyptian and Near Eastern Collection: Explore the Egyptian and Near Eastern Collection, which features ancient Egyptian artifacts, including mummies, sarcophagi, and intricate jewelry.
We spent more time in the rooms with Egyptian collections. Children were fascinated thoroughly walking through the collections of mummies there. They remembered the Egyptian Mummy kept in Albert Museum in Jaipur Rajasthan.
Most of these exhibits were brought to Vienna in the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, when Austrian archeologists made excavations in Gizeh, Pyramids of Giza. The coffins, the designs on them, their worn out look all seemed to pull us back into history. The entire roof is decorated and painted with Egyptian motifs. The items on display and tablets with Egyptian scripts, the hieroglyphs were interesting. One of the highlights of the Egyptian collection is the portrait of King Thutmose II, who lived around 1460 B.C.
Greek and Roman Antiquities: This section transported us to the world of classical art with the Greek and Roman Antiquities collection. The magnificent marble sculptures, intricate vases, and ancient artifacts offer a glimpse into the mythology, history, and daily life of ancient Greece and Rome.
Kunstkammer Vienna: Kunstkammer, a cabinet of curiosities, houses a diverse assortment of rare and precious objects collected by the Habsburg rulers. It had amazing collection of intricate Renaissance and Baroque art objects, including ivory carvings, intricate timepieces, and exquisite jewelry.
Closeup of detail on coffin, the patterns on ceilings seemed to be a copy of this.
I took some time to explore the jewelry displayed. They seemed to be awesome designs, all from ancient era. You can see more here: Museum of Mycenae in Argolis Greece. Selection method of seeing exhibits in a museum is limiting, but it makes best use of time.
Temporary Exhibitions – The Vienna Kunsthistorisches Museum also offers temporary exhibitions, adding an element of excitement and variety to each visit. These exhibitions delve into specific themes, artists, or periods, allowing visitors to explore different facets of art and culture.
Ancient Jewelry in Museum Vienna
If you are keen to plan your trip and fit in some of the good museums in your itinerary for Vienna check – Top Museums Vienna. This Kunsthistorisches Museum one of the Top Museums of Vienna. It is located very close Hofburg Palace and to many other attractions in Vienna city. If you are an art lover be sure to add this museum to your one day itinerary of Vienna City.
Kunsthistorisches Museum Tourism Information
LOCATION: The Vienna Art Museum is located on the Ringstrasse, the principle road surrounding the city center (Innere Stadt), large square Marien-Theresien-Platz.
TIMINGS: Vienna Art History Museum is open on all days during the months June to August. Closed on Mondays from September to May. Open timings: 10 AM to 6 PM.
TICKETS: Vienna Kunsthistorisches Museum Day Admission Ticket
Combo Ticket: Kunsthistorisches Museum & Imperial Treasury
TOUR TIME: Minimum two hours
ADDRESS: Maria-Theresien-Platz, 1010 Wien, Austria
GOOGLE COORDINATES: 48.20424493446115, 16.361787400000004
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Great shots. Stunning.
Wish you and your family a very happy and prosperous Diwali.
Very beautiful museum.
That is quite a museum. I would sure like to visit some day.
Egyptian art is always so fascinating!
There is a wonderful immediacy about Egyptian art that makes it less ancient and more fun than a lot of other old stuff.
I love visiting museums, thanks for having proposed !!!!!
Great pictures! You seem to be going all around Europe. Keep globetrotting.
This is really beautiful and fascinating as well. It would be wonderful to be there, but since I am unlikely ever to get to visit, thank you very much for showing it to us. I always like the audio guides when we go to museums or historical sites — it really does help I agree!
Egyptian mummies are always fascinating! Until, now I've seen the largest collection in the British Museum and hope to visit this one sometime:)
That's amazing that there are still Egyptian collections on display. It seems to me that I have heard that all countries have returned their collections to the museum in Cairo. But probably I am wrong.
You have so beautifully documented these superb exhibits. The museum truly is a font of knowledge and art.
This is a very interesting museum. Yes I can believe that this is something you cannot do in one day! These ceilings are so beautiful.
Have a great week.
Wonderful, I love Egyptian art.
It is amazing that ancient motifs look so modern, more modern and newer!! I wonder what ancient artists created these charming patterns.
Best wishes,
keiko
Very interesting exhibits.
What wonderful photos, Indrani. I love the birds on the ceiling. The Egyptian exhibit would be interesting, too, I'm sure.
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel
are they getting the artifats to go back to their home country?
Beautiful shots of museum.
the ceiling is beautiful. the Egyptian artifacts are definitely fascinating. i also spent more time at the Egyptian collections when i visited the British Museum and a museum in Milan. fabulous shots.
What a neat collection! Even the colors and details are well preserved!
Wow – those Egyptian rooms are magnificent! Great shots.
I imagine that a person could easily spend several days in this museum. Thank you for sharing part of the Egyptian exhibits with us.
A wonderful exhibit, thanks for taking us with you.
Exquisite. What little Egyptian stuff we get in out town is usually well attended.
These excavations have unearthed some of the most incredible finds on the planet. Deciding with room packed with history to explore would, indeed, be a challenge. 🙂
Marvelous!!
Happy Deepavali to you and yours!
Wonderful shots. I've always enjoyed the Egyptian collection in museums too.
Nice museum …..good photo's
Such a beautiful and interesting post and photos for the day, Indrani!I would love to visit this museum and I am fascinated by Egyptian history! Such a great tour you've taken us on! Love the detail you've included. Hope your week is off to a great start! Enjoy!
Sylvia