Gemäldegalerie der Akademie der bildenden Künste Wien

About the museum

The Vienna Academy of Fine Arts was founded in 1692 and initially collected mainly the admission pieces of its members and prize-winning student works. The collection became a public picture gallery in 1822 through the bequest of the diplomat Count Anton Lamberg-Sprinzenstein: he left the Academy around 800 paintings on condition that they be made accessible to the public. The gallery is therefore regarded as the first publicly accessible art museum of a state institution in Austria.

Since 1877 the collection has been housed on the first floor of the Academy building designed by Theophil Hansen on Schillerplatz, right among the students' studios. The building has undergone extensive renovation in recent years. The paintings belong to the Republic of Austria and, since 2002, have been organisationally integrated into the university of fine arts, together with the Kupferstichkabinett (Graphic Collection) and the Glyptothek (Plaster Cast Collection).

Today the gallery comprises around 1,200 paintings from the 14th to the 21st century. Its main focuses are Flemish, Dutch and Italian painting, Old German and Early Netherlandish panel paintings, and Austrian art from the 18th to the 20th century. The centrepiece is Hieronymus Bosch's Last Judgement triptych, which is permanently displayed in a room of its own. The rest of the collection is presented in changing formats such as “Die Sammlung betrachten” (Viewing the Collection), often supplemented by contributions from contemporary artists, as well as in thematic exhibitions.

Highlights

• Last Judgement triptych by Hieronymus Bosch
• Paintings by Rubens, Rembrandt, Titian and Tiepolo
• Works by Lucas Cranach the Elder and Dieric Bouts
• Marian tondo by Sandro Botticelli
• Historicist collection rooms in Theophil Hansen's Academy building

Permanent exhibition

• Hieronymus Bosch – Weltgerichts-Triptychon – The three-part winged altarpiece from around 1490 to 1505 shows Paradise, the Deadly Sins and the Last Judgement in scenes rich with figures and is permanently on display in a room of its own.

Founded

1822

Operated by

Akademie der bildenden Künste Wien

Director

Sabine Folie

Admission & discounts

Free admission for, among others, military and civilian servicemen, holders of the Kulturpass, unemployed people with an AMS card, ICOM and AIAP members, holders of the moecard, Austrian art educators and tour guides, and members of the Gesellschaft der Freunde der bildenden Künste. School classes: admission free for children, teachers and accompanying persons.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Step-free entrance via Makartgasse (intercom, automatic gate, ramp, lift; open 8 am–8 pm); a sign at the main entrance on Schillerplatz directs visitors there. On Schillerplatz there is a tactile guidance system to the porter's lodge and additional handrails on the historic staircase. Two lifts with wheelchair-accessible controls, accessible toilets on every floor (no Euro key needed). For fire safety reasons, wheelchair users should register with the porter.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Creative workshops for children aged 6 to 12, where they draw and paint in the middle of the gallery; children and young people up to the age of 19 have free admission.

Getting there & parking

Step-free access via the Makartgasse entrance.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop in the Gemäldegalerie.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit