Fälschermuseum Wien

About the museum

The Fälschermuseum was founded in November 2005 by Diane Grobe and Christian Rastner. The two still run it privately through their Werkstätte für Kunst & Architektur and, by their own account, receive no funding from the City of Vienna. It is considered the only museum of its kind in the German-speaking world.

The exhibition rooms are in the 3rd district on Löwengasse, diagonally opposite the Hundertwasserhaus. About 80 objects are on show across roughly 150 square metres, and the collection continues to grow. Access is down a few steps into the rooms.

The focus is on well-known forgers of the 20th century, such as Han van Meegeren with his fake Vermeers, the London restorer Tom Keating, Konrad Kujau as the creator of the forged Hitler diaries, as well as Elmyr de Hory, Eric Hebborn, Edgar Mrugalla, David Stein and Lothar Malskat. The museum tells not only the story of the artworks but also the often adventurous criminal cases and biographies behind them.

One aim of the museum is to clarify terminology: it shows the difference between identity forgeries, style forgeries and permitted copies, complemented by curiosities such as plagiarisms or supposed forgeries. The museum does not provide expert appraisals of works sent in, nor does it sell the objects.

Highlights

• Forgeries by Han van Meegeren, Tom Keating and Elmyr de Hory
• Works by Konrad Kujau, the forger of the Hitler diaries
• Organised into identity forgery, style forgery, copy and curiosities
• Crime stories about the forgers in the museum guide
• Location opposite the Hundertwasserhaus

Permanent exhibition

• Sammlung Kunstfälschungen – Around 80 forgeries and copies of well-known artists, arranged by identity and style forgeries, copies and curiosities, each with the story of its forger.

Founded

2005

Operated by

Werkstätte für Kunst & Architektur – Fälschermuseum – Grobe & Rastner OG

Admission & discounts

€4.50 with Kulturpass. Free admission for members of the Museumsbund Österreich and for people from Ukraine. Payment in cash is preferred.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Not barrier-free: five steps to the entrance and 16 steps down into the museum. There is only one toilet.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kidsRecommended for ages 12+

• Family tours & workshops: not available
• Stroller-friendly: not available

Because of the subject matter, the museum recommends visiting only from age 12; for younger accompanying children, children's books and toys are available.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located opposite the Hundertwasserhaus.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Small museum shop; library for browsing on site.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit