Kunsthistorisches Museum

Editor's review

Lashings of black marble set the tone in this largest of Vienna's picture galleries - you half expect Bela Lugosi to come floating down the stairs. The Art History Museum (f.1857) enjoys a commanding position on the western side of the Ring. It stands opposite the identically built Natural History Museum and together they make for an evocative echo of past times. But enough background. What about the collections themselves? Well, unlike the Louvre, which is so large as to require ten years to explore it properly, the KHM is a relatively manageable size. Bellotto's magnificent cityscapes are a highlight, whilst the Rembrandt, Rubens and Velazquez gems that bowled over nineteenth century painters are still there to be savoured. On the groundfloor you'll find a lavish collection of ornaments and curios, the focus of an embarrassing theft in recent times. Last but not least, look out for one-off exhibitions - the KHM gets some absolute stunners.

Editor
Editor & Vienna Local