{"id":830,"date":"2020-07-07T08:37:28","date_gmt":"2020-07-07T06:37:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/viennatouristinformation.com\/en\/?page_id=830"},"modified":"2023-06-07T13:28:40","modified_gmt":"2023-06-07T11:28:40","slug":"albertina","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/viennatouristinformation.com\/en\/things-to-do\/museum\/albertina\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide to Albertina Museum: Info, Exhibition & Admission"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Albertina Museum in the heart of Vienna now houses the largest and most valuable collection of graphic art in the world.<\/h2>\n

It is located in the impressive Archduke Albrecht Palace, the largest residential palace of the Habsburg dynasty.<\/p>\n

In the historic premises, you can also admire the Habsburg staterooms and masterpieces of classical modernism.<\/p>\n

In the following we provide you with important information about a visit to the art museum.<\/p>\n

Exhibitions at Albertina<\/h2>\n

\"Ausstellungen<\/span><\/p>\n

Albertina’s permanent collection is divided into four main sections. The graphics collection alone today includes more than a million prints and 50,000 drawings, which span a wide arc of around 600 years of art history. Works by internationally renowned artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, D\u00fcrer and Rembrandt can be admired in Albertina.<\/p>\n

Due to their sensitivity to light, the masterpieces are not permanently on display, but are presented in special exhibitions.<\/p>\n

There is also an extensive photography and architecture collection in Albertina.<\/p>\n

\"Dauerausstellung<\/span><\/p>\n

Permanent Exhibition<\/h3>\n

In addition to the world’s most important graphic collection, visitors to Albertina’s showrooms can marvel at the top-class permanent exhibition “Monet to Picasso – The Batliner Collection”<\/em> , which presents masterpieces of classical modernism. The important European private collection of the Batliners, consisting of around 500 exhibits, consists of works of French Impressionism to contemporary Austrian art.<\/p>\n

Highlights include Monet’s “The Waterlily Pond”, Degas’ “Two Dancers” and Picasso’s late work “Woman with a Green Hat”. Exhibits by Magritte, Warhol, C\u00e9zanne, Chagall, Klimt and Mir\u00f3 are also represented in the exhibition.<\/p>\n

\"D\u00fcrer<\/span><\/p>\n

D\u00fcrer in Albertina<\/h3>\n

One of the highlights of Albertina is the world’s largest collection of Albrecht D\u00fcrer drawings. The showpiece of the museum is the “Hare”, one of the most famous works in art history. His masterpiece “Hands Clasped in Prayer” is also admired.<\/p>\n

With the special exhibition “D\u00fcrer in the Albertina”, which was presented until January 2020, the art museum recorded visitor records.<\/p>\n

Raphael in Albertina<\/h3>\n

Numerous drawings by Raffael, the important painter and graphic artist of the Italian High Renaissance, can also be admired in Albertina. The “Madonna Studies” are particularly worth mentioning. A drawing by Raphael called \u201cTwo Male Nudes\u201d, which D\u00fcrer owned in 1515 and was even inscribed by him, is also part of Albertina’s collection.<\/p>\n

The special exhibition “Raphael in the Albertina”, which provided an overview of the artist’s work with 130 drawings and 18 paintings, was very popular in 2017\/18.<\/p>\n

Photo Collection<\/h3>\n

The photo collection in Albertina is the largest collection of artistic photography in Austria. It consists of 101,000 individual objects, which present genres such as portrait, architecture, landscape and street photography, from the beginnings to the present day.<\/p>\n

Architecture<\/h3>\n

Albertina’s architectural collection consists of over 40,000 plans, models and studies. It spans an arc from late Gothic to the present. Among others, works by Bernini, Hadid, Borromini, Wagner, Hansen, and Loos are on display.<\/p>\n

State Rooms<\/h3>\n

Visitors to the Albertina can also marvel at the magnificent state rooms of the former Habsburg palace. 20 elaborately restored rooms offer a fascinating insight into the world of Habsburg archdukes and archduchesses.<\/p>\n

The most famous residents include Archduchess Marie-Christine – Maria Theresa’s favorite daughter – and Archduke Karl, the victor in the Battle of Aspern against Napoleon.<\/p>\n

The original state rooms are furnished with fine furniture, fireplaces, chandeliers and valuable wall coverings and inlays. Distributed over two floors, the rooms, designed in bright turquoise, yellow and green, are still filled with the imperial flair of the Habsburg dynasty.<\/p>\n

In particular, the breathtaking Musensaal<\/em> with life-size figures of Apollo and his nine muses is very popular. During your tour of the royal premises, also admire the gilded gold cabinet<\/em> , the Sphinx staircase<\/em> , the rococo room<\/em> and the magnificent Wedgwood cabinet<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\"Wechselnde<\/span><\/p>\n

Changing Exhibitions<\/h3>\n

Here<\/a> you will find the Albertina’s current changing exhibitions as well as a preview.<\/p>\n

Albertine Modern<\/h3>\n

\"Kunstlerhaus<\/span><\/p>\n

Albertina Modern is a newly founded museum dedicated to contemporary art. The museum is the Albertina’s second location and is located in the Vienna Art House on Karlsplatz, just a few minutes’ walk from the main building.  <\/p>\n

With over 60,000 works by 5,000 artists, Albertina Modern is one of the largest museums of contemporary art in Austria. With her first exhibition \u201cThe Beginning. Art in Austria 1945 to 1980\u201d<\/em> the museum continues the collection from 1945 onwards.<\/p>\n

History of Albertina Museum<\/h2>\n

\"Geschichte<\/span><\/p>\n

Albertina Museum not only owes its name to Duke Albert of Saxe-Teschen, the son-in-law of Empress Maria Theresia, but also numerous of its art-historical treasures.<\/p>\n

Duke Albert of Saxe-Teschen founded the graphics collection in 1776. His wife, Archduchess Maria Christine, who was interested in art, supported him financially in the systematic collection of graphic sheets and drawings. For more than 50 years they have collected 14,000 drawings and 200,000 prints, covering the major European art movements from the Middle Ages to the early 19th century. The ducal collection, which today is one of the most important art collections in the world, forms the core of Albertina.<\/p>\n

From 1822 the collection was managed and expanded by Archduke Carl, Duke Albert’s nephew and adopted son, and his son Albrecht. Archduke Friedrich, the last inhabitant of the palace, had to leave the Republic of Austria, which was proclaimed in 1918.<\/p>\n

In 1919, after the end of the monarchy, the Albertine Collection and the palace became the property of the Republic of Austria. A year later, the collection was merged with the holdings of prints from the former imperial court library. In the years that followed, it was steadily expanded. French and German drawings from the 19th century, which have hardly been represented until now, were included. The focus was also placed on Austrian and German graphics from the 19th and 20th centuries, which now complete the collection.<\/p>\n

After being closed for over a decade, Albertina reopened to the public in 2003. Since then, the focus has been on international contemporary art and key works of Austrian art from the 20th and 21st centuries. The permanent loans from the Batliner, Forberg and Rheingold collections also enrich Albertina with works of international classical modern and contemporary art.<\/p>\n

Contact<\/h2>\n