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Belvedere Palace art collection | A comprehensive look into Austrian culture and heritage

The Belvedere Palace in Vienna houses invaluable Austrian art, including key works by Gustav Klimt and Oskar Kokoschka. The Palace, divided into the Upper and the Lower Belvedere, is also an interesting place to explore transformational artworks by avant-garde artists. Don't miss the 24 paintings of Gustav Klimt, a 19th-century Austrian painter who led a group of nineteen avant-garde artists to form a new movement: the Vienna Secession. The avant-garde exhibition at the Belvedere Palace introduces visitors to a brilliant selection of contemporary and historical approaches to art. Each masterpiece gives you a different perspective and insight into how art evolved from the 1930s.

Why visit the Belvedere Palace art collection?

Belvedere Palace art collection
  • Home of Austrian art collection: Belvedere Palace in Vienna houses the largest and certainly one of the best Austrian art collections. The Palace showcases a wide variety of artworks, from the Middle Ages to the 19th and 20th centuries. The Belvedere 21 Museum specializes in displaying contemporary artworks, highlighting artists from all over the world.
  • Home to leading Klimt collection: Gustav Klimt was a 19th-century Austrian painter who inspired many during his time and continues to do so even today. Belvedere Palace is an excellent place to check out some of Klimt's best works.
  • Captures important art movements: Art has evolved throughout history. At the Belvedere Palace, you can gain insight into various artistic movements, including important works of French Impressionism. The Lower Belvedere complex also showcases temporary collections and special exhibits.

Belvedere Palace exhibitions

Picture this! The Belvedere Collection from Cranch to EXPORT

Picture this! The Belvedere Collection from Cranch to EXPORT

This collection showcases artworks that focus on the interactions between art and society. These paintings reflect how the painters had been influenced by their political and social environment, economic policies, migration, 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)

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
Carlone Contemporary: Michail Michailov, Dust to Dust

Carlone Contemporary: Michail Michailov, Dust to Dust

In this collection, 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. The exhibition forces its viewers to consider their value and existence. It is said that the illusionist technique of trompe-I’ceil inspired Michailov’s colored pencil drawings. 

  • Where: Upper Belvedere Palace
  • When: 19 October 2023 to 14 April 2024
  • Theme: Vestiges of time
  • Artists in focus: Michail Michailov
The Belvedere: 300 Years a Venue for Art

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, Johann Nepomuk Schodlberger, Karl Mediz, Egon Schiele, Wiener Bildhauer, Lily Steiner, Gerhart Frankl, Lisa Oppenheim, and others
Study Collection: Middle Ages and Renaissance

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

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 at Belvedere 21 Museum 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

Robert Gabris: The Space Is Too Small For Our Bodies

In this collection, Robert Gravis showcases copperplate engravings ‘The Blue Heart’ from 2014 along with a special series created for Belvedere 21 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

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 collection, 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.




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Frequently asked questions about Belvedere Palace art collection

What is the Belvedere Palace art collection?

The Belvedere Palace art collection consists of fascinating artworks by renowned Austrian artists, paintings, and sculptures from various historical periods. The Upper Belvedere Palace mostly focuses on artworks dating 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.

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

Yes, you need Belvedere Palace tickets to view the art collections. 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 combo tickets, that include access to the entire Belvedere complex and the 21 Museum.

Can I purchase tickets to view the Belvedere Palace art collection online?

Yes, we recommend you purchase Belvedere Palace tickets online to view the art collections as online ticket bookings are more convenient and ensure a hassle-free experience. If you pre-book tickets online, you can avoid standing in long lines on the day of your visit.

Where is the Belvedere Palace located?

The Belvedere Palace is located close to the main city center. It is situated on Prinz-Eugen-Straße 27, 1030 Wien, Austria.

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.

Why is the Belvedere Palace art collection important?

The Belvedere Palace art collection is vital as it holds some of Vienna's oldest and most renowned art collections. The collection spans centuries, from the Middle Ages to the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries.

How old is the Belvedere Palace art collection?

The art collection housed within the Belvedere Palace spans several centuries. The core of the collection was established during the late 17th and early 18th centuries when Prince Eugene of Savoy began acquiring artworks to adorn his residence.

What can you see as part of the Belvedere Palace art collection?

The Belvedere Palace art collection is diverse and moving. It houses artworks from the 15th and 16th centuries acquired when Prince Eugene was sourcing pieces to decorate his summer residence. In the 19th and 20th centuries, when the Belvedere Imperial Gallery gained popularity, artworks by Austrian artists such as Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, and Oskar Kokoschka, among others were featured in the Palace.

How many artworks 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 18th century, while the Lower Belvedere complex showcases paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries. The 21 Museum and Lower Belvedere also hosts exhibitions and collections to highlight recent social and political developments.

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, characterized by intricate patterns, luxurious gold leaf, and symbolic imagery. Furthermore, Klimt was commissioned to create decorative paintings for the palace's ceremonial halls during the early 20th century, contributing to the Palace's rich artistic legacy.

Is it worth viewing the Belvedere Palace collection?

The Belvedere Palace art collection in Vienna pays homage to centuries-old artworks, spanning from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. If you love art and history, make sure to visit the Palace complex and observe its paintings, sculptures, manicured gardens, and Baroque architectural elements.