Vienna museum experts - Albertina and Leopold
Mar 10th, 2008, 10:25 AM
#1
Original Poster
Vienna museum experts - Albertina and Leopold
Three questions, I think:
I visited Vienna in October 2004 and at the time the Albertina had an exhibition of Michelangelo sketches (which was wonderful) but when I asked a security guard how to get to the Durer permanent exhibit he said "If exhibit, no Durers". Due to the language barrier (I don't speak German) that was the best I could do. I am guessing that the Albertina does allow viewing of its permanent collection when an exhibition is on, right? We are returning next month and I am hoping to actually see it this time.
Second, if you've been to both and are a fan of Klimt, could you compare the Leopold and the Albertina? We have both on our list (my sister is a Klimt fan) but may not have time for both.
Bearing in mind that we're going for all the Vermeer (well, one), Klimt and Rembrandts we can handle: our must-sees for museums are, Kunsthistorisches, Belvedere, and Secession. Are we missing anything? What about the Gemäldegalerie der Akademie der Bildenden as compared to those already on the list?
Info seems scant in the guidebooks in terms of the "lesser" museums. TIA for any thoughts.
I visited Vienna in October 2004 and at the time the Albertina had an exhibition of Michelangelo sketches (which was wonderful) but when I asked a security guard how to get to the Durer permanent exhibit he said "If exhibit, no Durers". Due to the language barrier (I don't speak German) that was the best I could do. I am guessing that the Albertina does allow viewing of its permanent collection when an exhibition is on, right? We are returning next month and I am hoping to actually see it this time.
Second, if you've been to both and are a fan of Klimt, could you compare the Leopold and the Albertina? We have both on our list (my sister is a Klimt fan) but may not have time for both.
Bearing in mind that we're going for all the Vermeer (well, one), Klimt and Rembrandts we can handle: our must-sees for museums are, Kunsthistorisches, Belvedere, and Secession. Are we missing anything? What about the Gemäldegalerie der Akademie der Bildenden as compared to those already on the list?
Info seems scant in the guidebooks in terms of the "lesser" museums. TIA for any thoughts.
Mar 10th, 2008, 11:00 AM
#2
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Hopefully someone will have more info than I do.
When we were in Vienna Nov 06, there was a Picasso exhibition at Albertina. There were only a few rooms that show the drawings of Michelangelo, Durer, Schiele. But all of them are labeled <i>facsimile</i>.
Which Klimts are at the Albertina? I assume those are just drawings? If that's the case, I'd opt for Leopold as it has Klimt's oil paintings (unless your sister prefers drawings to paintings).
I didn't go to Gemäldegalerie der Akademie der Bildenden (but did research about it before my trip). I think of it as more of "Old Masters." Have you looked at its website? Looks like they have at least 1 Rembrandt. It also as a Bosch.
http://www.akademiegalerie.at/
I also wanted to visit MAK but didn't have time. Heard it's wonderful - if you're into designs by Wiener Werkstätte and Josef Hoffmann.
I *believe* the part of the Burg Theatre's interior was decorated by Klimt, but I'm not 100% sure. Burg Theatre offers guided tours.
As far as KHM, apart from the Rembrandts and the Vermeer, do not forget to enjoy the Bruegel Room. That was the highlight of my Vienna trip.
When we were in Vienna Nov 06, there was a Picasso exhibition at Albertina. There were only a few rooms that show the drawings of Michelangelo, Durer, Schiele. But all of them are labeled <i>facsimile</i>.
Which Klimts are at the Albertina? I assume those are just drawings? If that's the case, I'd opt for Leopold as it has Klimt's oil paintings (unless your sister prefers drawings to paintings).
I didn't go to Gemäldegalerie der Akademie der Bildenden (but did research about it before my trip). I think of it as more of "Old Masters." Have you looked at its website? Looks like they have at least 1 Rembrandt. It also as a Bosch.
http://www.akademiegalerie.at/
I also wanted to visit MAK but didn't have time. Heard it's wonderful - if you're into designs by Wiener Werkstätte and Josef Hoffmann.
I *believe* the part of the Burg Theatre's interior was decorated by Klimt, but I'm not 100% sure. Burg Theatre offers guided tours.
As far as KHM, apart from the Rembrandts and the Vermeer, do not forget to enjoy the Bruegel Room. That was the highlight of my Vienna trip.
Mar 10th, 2008, 12:14 PM
#3
Original Poster
Thank you, yk!
We can't tell what exactly the Albertina has in the way of Klimts other than what the website says: "The Albertina’s distinguished collections of 20th century art include works by Schiele, Klimt and Kokoschka as well as Warhol, Rauschenberg and Baselitz."
Interesting that the drawings appear to be facsimiles. I hadn't read that anywhere yet.
I saw the Bruegel Room at the KHM last time. I will make sure my sis sees it this time around!
We can't tell what exactly the Albertina has in the way of Klimts other than what the website says: "The Albertina’s distinguished collections of 20th century art include works by Schiele, Klimt and Kokoschka as well as Warhol, Rauschenberg and Baselitz."
Interesting that the drawings appear to be facsimiles. I hadn't read that anywhere yet.
I saw the Bruegel Room at the KHM last time. I will make sure my sis sees it this time around!
Mar 10th, 2008, 01:02 PM
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Hi amyb-
AFAIK, I believe the Albertina mainly collects prints and drawings, but I could be wrong.
Also, fellow Fodorite 111op was in Vienna in Oct 2006 (one month before my trip) and he reported seeing "facsimile" on the labels as well.
His trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34882641
And an excerpt on Albertina:
< Then of course Albertina excels in its prints and drawings collections. Almost immediately in a series of rooms, I was first greeted by Michelangelo, then Durer, then Rubens. However after taking a closer look at the labels, I saw the word facsimile on nearly all of them. Were these merely copies? Still Durer's work is a tour de force -- from praying hands to a rabbit to a bird's wings to nature. Rubens's drawing of his son with a coral necklace was lent to an exhibition at the Met a while ago. It was nice to see this again. >
AFAIK, I believe the Albertina mainly collects prints and drawings, but I could be wrong.
Also, fellow Fodorite 111op was in Vienna in Oct 2006 (one month before my trip) and he reported seeing "facsimile" on the labels as well.
His trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34882641
And an excerpt on Albertina:
< Then of course Albertina excels in its prints and drawings collections. Almost immediately in a series of rooms, I was first greeted by Michelangelo, then Durer, then Rubens. However after taking a closer look at the labels, I saw the word facsimile on nearly all of them. Were these merely copies? Still Durer's work is a tour de force -- from praying hands to a rabbit to a bird's wings to nature. Rubens's drawing of his son with a coral necklace was lent to an exhibition at the Met a while ago. It was nice to see this again. >
Mar 10th, 2008, 01:16 PM
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As for the facsimile question: Original graphics on paper may not be exposed to light, even dim light, for longer than a maximum of 6 weeks per year, otherwise they'll suffer. The Albertina has no choice, they cannot show the originals all year round.
Mar 11th, 2008, 05:18 AM
#10
Original Poster
A great site for Vermeer fans:
http://www.essentialvermeer.com/maps/mapeurope.html
FYI -- This is our 3rd trip in our attempt to see all the known Vermeers in the world; we'll see the two in Paris and one in Vienna next month. We've already seen all of them in the Netherlands and New York City (15 total).
http://www.essentialvermeer.com/maps/mapeurope.html
FYI -- This is our 3rd trip in our attempt to see all the known Vermeers in the world; we'll see the two in Paris and one in Vienna next month. We've already seen all of them in the Netherlands and New York City (15 total).
Mar 11th, 2008, 07:53 AM
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Hi amyb-
I'm a Vermeer fan too! I have seen 24 of his paintings so far. The remaining ones are a bit off the usual beaten path. Wouldn't be nice if all the museusms organized another huge Vermeer exhibition again?
I'm a Vermeer fan too! I have seen 24 of his paintings so far. The remaining ones are a bit off the usual beaten path. Wouldn't be nice if all the museusms organized another huge Vermeer exhibition again?
Mar 11th, 2008, 08:09 AM
#12
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Yk...cool! I'd love to see an exhibition, except as part of our "quest" my sister has made the rule that we have to see them in their home museums! 
I was actually in Vienna in 2004 and the one there was on loan to Tokyo, so it will be great to see it this time around (I already wrote and confirmed it will be there!) Washington DC is on our agenda for this summer...then all we'll have left are the German and UK ones.
We are stuck on the Wynn Vermeer though...any ideas where it is now? And sadly we never saw the one in Boston (our hometown) before it was stolen.
What's been your favorite so far? I absolutely loved the Girl with the Pearl Earring, it was mesmerizing in person, and the Love Letter as well.
I was actually in Vienna in 2004 and the one there was on loan to Tokyo, so it will be great to see it this time around (I already wrote and confirmed it will be there!) Washington DC is on our agenda for this summer...then all we'll have left are the German and UK ones.We are stuck on the Wynn Vermeer though...any ideas where it is now? And sadly we never saw the one in Boston (our hometown) before it was stolen.
What's been your favorite so far? I absolutely loved the Girl with the Pearl Earring, it was mesmerizing in person, and the Love Letter as well.
Mar 11th, 2008, 08:55 AM
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You're too funny about writing to KHM about the Vermeer - because I did the same when I went to Kenwood House in London last year. It is a bit outside of London and not that easy to get to by public transportation, so I emailed Kenwood house beforehand to make sure it's there!
I'm not 100% sure about the Wynn Vermeer. I think there's an art gallery at the Wynn and the public can visit?
My all time favorite is View of Delft. I like Girl with a Pearl Earring but View of Delft took my breath away. I have to agree with Proust, who described it as "the most beautiful painting in the world."
I'm not 100% sure about the Wynn Vermeer. I think there's an art gallery at the Wynn and the public can visit?
My all time favorite is View of Delft. I like Girl with a Pearl Earring but View of Delft took my breath away. I have to agree with Proust, who described it as "the most beautiful painting in the world."
Mar 13th, 2008, 08:19 AM
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amyb,
I was in Vienna Feb 21st-28th and the Vermeer at the Kunst was not on display at that time but from what I could make of the small card on the wall in its place it wasn't traveling.
I couldn't tell from the explanation why it was missing from view. I hope it is back on display when you are there. my daughter and I were very disappointed but tried to be philosophical as between Vienna and Munich we had seen alot of amazing art!
Hope you have a great trip. We went to the Belvedere and saw wonderful Klimts, including THE Klimt, the Kiss that is so well known. I could really appreciate why so many love his work afterwards. He is not an artist I had really considered before. That gallery has a great range of his work that was good to study.
lynda
I was in Vienna Feb 21st-28th and the Vermeer at the Kunst was not on display at that time but from what I could make of the small card on the wall in its place it wasn't traveling.
I couldn't tell from the explanation why it was missing from view. I hope it is back on display when you are there. my daughter and I were very disappointed but tried to be philosophical as between Vienna and Munich we had seen alot of amazing art!
Hope you have a great trip. We went to the Belvedere and saw wonderful Klimts, including THE Klimt, the Kiss that is so well known. I could really appreciate why so many love his work afterwards. He is not an artist I had really considered before. That gallery has a great range of his work that was good to study.
lynda
Mar 13th, 2008, 09:38 AM
#15
Original Poster
Uh oh Lynda! We wrote the museum in January and they said it'd be on display at least until June, so I guess we'll have to take their word.
If anyone else is going to the KHM, or has been more recently, I'd love an update! (Obviously, trying not to panic on this one!)
I didn't much care for Klimt until I saw Adele at the Neue in NYC at my sister's urging. Now I'm interested! I'm anxious to see the Belvedere and the Beethoven Frieze as well.
If anyone else is going to the KHM, or has been more recently, I'd love an update! (Obviously, trying not to panic on this one!)
I didn't much care for Klimt until I saw Adele at the Neue in NYC at my sister's urging. Now I'm interested! I'm anxious to see the Belvedere and the Beethoven Frieze as well.
