Hunters in the Snow (Winter) (1565) by Pieter Bruegel the ElderKunsthistorisches Museum Wien
The largest art museum in Austria, the Museum of Fine Arts, Vienna, is located right in the heart of the city. Opened to the public in 1891, the main part of the museum’s collection is made up of artworks acquired by the Habsburgs.
One of the most prominent European noble families, the Habsburgs collected a huge number of masterpieces from across the continent.
Infanta Margarita Teresa in a Blue Dress (1659) by Diego Rodriguez de Silva y VelázquezKunsthistorisches Museum Wien
Every year, almost 2 million people visit the Kunsthistorisches Museum. This makes it one of the most popular galleries in the world. Luckily, you don’t need to travel all the way to Vienna to visit this fantastic institution.
Scroll on and use the click-and-drag feature to visit a few virtual highlights and explore the museum...
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The Building
Most people who visit the Museum do so to explore the artworks, but the building itself is also well worth appreciating. Opened by Emperor Franz Joseph I in 1891, the building was commissioned to hold the vast art collection of the Habsburgs. Click and drag to explore...
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As you take a digital tour through the galleries and collections, take the time to look at the incredible architecture of the museum and appreciate the work that’s gone into this impressive structure.
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Egyptian and Near Eastern Collection
One of the world’s most important collections of antiquities, the Egyptian and Near Eastern exhibition contains over 17,000 objects dating from around 3500BC to the early Christian era. Look out for mummies, sarcophagi, sculptures, reliefs, and very early examples of writing.
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The galleries have been decorated to reflect their ancient contents, with replica artworks lining the walls and ceilings.
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Greek and Roman Antiquities
The museum’s Greek and Roman collection is mostly made up of objects collected by the Habsburgs between the 16th and 19th centuries. Beautifully arranged over a number of galleries, the collection takes visitors from the early days of Greek art to the end of the Roman period.
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See how Greek ideas gradually merged into Roman art and how the myths, legends and imagery of the earlier civilization were adopted by later works.
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The Picture Gallery
One of the most popular areas of the Museum of Fine Arts is the Picture Gallery. Home to the Habsburgs' enormous collection of masterpieces, it houses everything from Madonna of the Meadow by Raphael to Summer by Giuseppe Arcimboldo.
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Whether you’re a lifelong lover of art, or just enjoy a stroll through illustrious surroundings, the Museum of Fine Arts, Vienna is a fantastic place for a virtual expedition. Keep exploring, or find out more here.
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