Belvedere Palace Paintings | An Unforgettable Art Collection

Why are the Belvedere paintings a must-visit?

Home to Gustave Klimt’s masterpieces: The palace houses some of the most iconic works by Gustav Klimt, including his world-famous painting ‘The Kiss’, along with other pieces like ‘Judith’ and ‘Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer II’. ‘The Kiss’ is one of the most celebrated Belvedere Palace paintings, created during the height of Klimt’s ‘Golden Period’.
Works by Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka: The Belvedere also features works by other key figures of Austrian Modernism. Schiele’s expressive and often provocative paintings provide a stark contrast to Klimt’s decorative style, while Kokoschka’s portraits and landscapes offer further insight into the diverse artistic currents of early 20th-century Vienna.
Comprehensive collection of Austrian art: The Belvedere Palace boasts a vast art collection, spanning from the Middle Ages to the present day. The paintings on display feature works from different periods, including the Baroque, Biedermeier, and Modernist movements. If you want to learn about the evolution of Austrian art and culture, make sure to look through the Belvedere Palace paintings.
Rich historical and cultural context: The Belvedere Palace paintings are not just artistic treasures. A majority of the art collection reflects the social, political, and cultural changes that occurred in Austria over the centuries.

Highlights from the Belvedere archives | Past exhibitions

Picture this! The Belvedere Collection from Cranch to EXPORT

This collection showcases artworks that focus on the interactions between art and society. These Belvedere Palace paintings reflect how the artists had been influenced by their political and social environment, economic policies, and international networks to create art.

Where: Upper Belvedere Palace
When: Ongoing
Theme: Interaction between art and society
Artists in focus: Gustave Klimt, Franz Xaver Messerschmidt, Adam Johann Braun, Martin van Meytens, Lucas Cranach the Elder, Michail Michailov, Georg Eisler, and others

Nedko Solakov, A Cornered Solo Show #3 (with Charles Esche as my artistic conscience)

This exhibition urges its visitors to head to the museum’s inconspicuous coatroom. The artworks are a dialogue between himself and his inner artistic conscience. Nedko Solakov poured out his thoughts and responses in canvas cut-outs and displayed them in a corner of this studio.

Where: Upper Belvedere Palace
When: 24 November 2023 to 19 June 2024
Theme: Artist’s views on recent social and political developments
Artists in focus: Nedko Solakov

The Belvedere: 300 Years a Venue for Art

This show marks the Belvedere Palace’s 300th-anniversary year of 2023. In 1723, the Belvedere estate was finally constructed, and after the death of Prince Eugene, Marie Theresa opened the Imperial Picture Gallery to the public in 1777. This heralded a new era of enlightened absolutism when artworks would no longer be restricted to the upper classes.

Where: Lower Belvedere Palace
When: 2 December 2022 to 25 February 2024
Theme: History of the museum
Artists in focus: Vinzenz Fischer, Johann Gottfried Auerbach, Karl Mediz, Egon Schiele, Wiener Bildhauer, Lily Steiner, Gerhart Frankl, Lisa Oppenheim, and others

Carlone Contemporary: Michail Michailov, Dust to Dust

This Belvedere Palace art exhibition forces its viewers to consider their value and existence. The artist, Michail Michailov points out how dust, tears, marks, and stains are a visible demarcation of how time will leave its mark on everything.

Where: Upper Belvedere Palace
When: 19 October 2023 to 14 April 2024
Theme: Vestiges of time
Artists in focus: Michail Michailov

Study Collection: Middle Ages and Renaissance

Located next to the Orangery in the Palace stables, the highlights of this collection include eight panels of the ‘Salzburg Altar’. These panels by Rueland Frueauf were once housed in the church of the Archbishopric of St. Peter and showcase religious scenes. This collection features exhibits from the early 14th to the mid-16th century.

Where: Lower Belvedere Palace
When: Ongoing
Theme: Religious themes
Artists in focus: Rueland Frueauf the Elder, Urban Gortschacher, Michael Pacher, Meister von Groblobming, and others

Renate Bertlmann, Fragile Obsessions

In this collection, Renate Berlmann, one of the iconic pioneers of the Austrian feminist avant-garde movement subverts social ideals of gender and feminity by addressing the female body as a battlefield where pain and pleasure both co-exist. This retrospective features around 200 exhibits, ranging from the late 1960s to some of her most recent, multimedia productions.

Where: Belvedere 21 Museum
When: 29 September 2023 to 3 March 2024
Theme: Subverting gender and feminity stereotypes
Artists in focus: Renate Bertlmann

Robert Gabris: The Space Is Too Small For Our Bodies

In this collection, Robert Gravis showcases a special series called ‘This Space Is Too Small For Our Bodies’ as well as a room-sized exhibit called ‘ERROR- ROMA CORPOREALITY AND THEIR NON-BINARY SPACES’. Gravis explores the complex relationship between the human body and queerness and minority communities.

Where: Belvedere 21 Museum
When: 8 September 2023 to 18 February 2024
Theme: Exploration of the human body, both in its concrete and abstract forms
Artists in focus: Robert Gabris
Awarded: Belvedere Art Award

Belvedere 21 Museum>

Brief history of the Belvedere Palace art collection

Today, Belvedere Palace is a symbol of art in Vienna, but it wasn't always the case. The Palace was originally built in the 18th century as the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, with Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt, a prominent architect of the time, designing the Palace.

The Upper Belvedere had a representative function and was an imperial painting gallery. After Prince Eugene's death, the Palace was opened to the public and became one of the world's first public art museums. Fast forward to today, it houses Gustav Klimt's incredible artworks, including 'The Kiss' and 'Judith,' masterpieces by Schiele and Kokoschka, and important works of French Impressionism and the Vienna Biedermeier era.

Similarly, in 1903, the Lower Belvedere was also opened as a modern gallery. Today, it is used for temporary exhibitions.

Belvedere Palace history

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Frequently asked questions about Belvedere Palace paintings

Why are Belvedere Palace paintings important?

The Belvedere Palace art collection in Vienna pays homage to centuries-old artworks, spanning from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, including masterpieces by Schiele, Klimt, Renoir, and others. If you love art and history, make sure to visit the Palace complex and admire its paintings, sculptures, and Baroque architectural elements.

Do I need tickets to visit the Belvedere Palace art collection?

Yes, you need Belvedere Palace tickets to view the paintings. If you are interested in specific eras, you can purchase direct entry tickets to either the Upper or Lower Belvedere Palace. You can also purchase Belvedere combo tickets, that include access to the entire Belvedere complex and the 21 Museum.

How old are the Belvedere Palace paintings?

The Belvedere Palace art collection spans several centuries, with Baroque pieces dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries, when Prince Eugene of Savoy began acquiring artworks to adorn his residence. Klimt and Schiele's masterpieces are from the 19th and 20th centuries. The Lower Belvedere and 21 Museum also showcase more recent and diverse paintings by contemporary artists.

How many paintings are on display at the Belvedere Palace in Vienna?

Almost 18,600 art pieces are on display at the Belvedere Palace in Vienna. The Upper Belvedere complex highlights artworks from the Middle Ages to the 17th and 18th centuries. The Lower Belvedere Palace and Belvedere 21 Museum highlight contemporary artworks and paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries. They also host temporary exhibitions, highlighting contemporary social and political developments and how artists interact with these changes.

What is special about the Belvedere Palace Klimt collection?

The Belvedere Palace Klimt collection is unique because it showcases some of his best artworks along with pieces by those who inspired him or took inspiration from his style. Painted between 1907 and 1908, 'The Kiss' is a quintessential example of Klimt's distinctive style, detailed with luxurious gold leaves and symbolic imagery. Furthermore, Klimt was commissioned to create decorative paintings for the palace's ceremonial halls during the early 20th century, establishing him as a key contributor to the palace's artistic legacy.

What are the Belvedere Palace timings?

The Upper Belvedere Palace is open from 9 am to 6 pm throughout the week and the Lower Belvedere Palace is open from 10 am to 6 pm from Monday to Sunday. The Belvedere 21 Museum is open from 11 am to 6 pm from Tuesday to Sunday. It is open until 9 pm on Thursday and remains open on Mondays only during public holidays or special occasions.