Giovanni Battista Moroni: Portrait of the nobleman Prospero Alessandri (ca. 1560)

Vienna is, as you know, always worth a visit! The Albertina is currently showing more than one hundred outstanding paintings and sculptures from the exquisite collections of the Princely House of Liechtenstein (until June 10) – magnificent Old Masters, from Rubens to Makart. A good reason to visit the Danube metropolis. For a first impression (and for those of you who won’t make it to Vienna) I share my favorite selection of the most beautiful exhibits.

Antico: Bust of Marcus Aurelius (ca. 1500)

The House of Liechtenstein’s magnificent art collections rank among the most important and largest private collections in the world, comparable only to those of the British royal family. They comprise imposing sculptures and paintings of the Renaissance and the Baroque by Adriaen de Vries, Peter Paul Rubens und Anthonis van Dyck, superb works by the Italian and French artists Giambologna aka Giovanni da Bolgna, Canaletto and Hyacinthe Rigaud, masterpieces of the Viennese Biedermeier by Friedrich von Amerling and Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller, as well as exquisite paintings of the Makart era.

Hans Makart: The Death of Cleopatra (1875)

The House of Liechtenstein, originally an Austrian noble dynasty, had held vast possessions in Lower Austria and Moravia since the Middle Ages. In 1599, Karl I von Liechtenstein converted from the Protestant faith to the Catholicism. In 1608 he received the title of bereditary prince and thus laid the foundation for the rise of the House of Liechtenstein. In the early eighteenth century the princely family’s diverse castles and palaces were transferred to the City Palace in Vienna.

Salviati: Portrait of a Man (ca. 1543-48)

Three hundred years ago, in 1719, Emperor Charles VI elevated the neighboring estates of Vaduz and Schellenberg to the status of Imperial Principality: Liechtenstein became a sovereign state within the Holy Roman Empire. From 1807 onward, Johann I von Liechtenstein had the extensive picture gallery transferred from the Viennese City Palace to the Summer Palace outside the town walls. In 1810, five years after Duke Albert, the Albertina’s founder, the House of Liechtenstein likewise made its collections accessible to the public.

Lucas van Valckenborch The Elder: The Parable of the Blind leading the Blind (after 1568)

A year earlier Prince Johann I von Liechtenstein had fought side by side with Generalissimo Archduke Carl in the Battle of Aspern (1809). He had this first victory over Napoleon’s troops, captured in a monumental painting by Johann Peter Krafft (now on view in the Albertina’s staterooms as a permanent loan from the Princely Collections).

Quentin Massys The Elder: The Tax Collectors (ca. 1525-30)

In the nineteenth century, Prince Alois II and his son, Johann II, became the most prominent patrons and collectors of Viennese Biedermeier art. Hundreds of Paintings by Waldmüller, Fendi, Amerling and Rudolf von Alt in today’s Viennese Collections go back to Johann II’s donations. The House of Liechtenstein’s collections survived the First World War and the downfall of the Habsburg monarchy unscathed.

Osias Beert The Elder: Large Still Life with Apples, Grapes and a Vase of Flowers (ca. 1600-20)

In the final weeks of the Second World War, they were relocated from Vienna to the neutral Principality of Liechtenstein for reasons of safety. In days of economic hardship and dispossessions following Europe’s division into East and West, many paintings were sold, including key works by Leonardo, Canaletto and Rubens. Only under Prince Hans-Adam II von und zu Liechtenstein has the family’s art collection began to grow again substantially. Exhibiting the most beautiful and important masterpieces from the Princely Collections, the Albertina is celebrating the Principality’s 300^th anniversary in the palace of Duke Albert and Archduke Carl, both of whom once maintained such close relations with the House of Liechtenstein.

Source: Albertina Wien

Me infront of Ruben’s Portrait of his daughter Clara Serena (ca. 1616)

…come a bit closer…

Franz Jansz. van der Uyl: Breakfast Still Life with a Pewter Flagon (1635) – Fascinating details such as the silver bowl and the light reflections on the pot as to be seen here

Jan van Huysum: Flowers in a Terracotta Vase (ca. 1725) …note the three-dimensional depiction of the putti on the vase!

Peter Paul Rubens: Venus infront of the Mirror (ca. 1614/15) …and here the bangle of Venus as well as the mirror perspective!

Anthonis van Dyck: Portrait of a Woman (1618) …impressive filigree of lace and jewelry …

Anthonis von Dyck: Saint Jerome (ca. 1615/16)

Roelant Savery: A Bouquet of Flowers (1612)

Guiseppe Arcimboldo: Terra (Earth) ca. 1570

One of my favourite paintings of this exposition: “Landscape with the Young Tobias” by Jan Brueghel The Elder (1598). Even in the depth of the picture you will discover the finest detail depictions

Adriaen de Vries: Saint Sebastian (ca. 1613/14)

Peter Paul Rubens: Jan Vermoelen (1616)

Anthonis van Dyck: Maria de Tassis (ca. 1629/30)

Five centuries of art history

Gerrit Adriansz. Berckheyde: The Market Square in Haarlem (1661)

Frans Snyders: The Lioness (ca. 1620/30)

View into the exhibition rooms of the Albertina, in the back “The Battle between the Romans and Sabines” by Sebastiano Ricci (ca. 1700)

Domenico Guidi: Bust of Maria Annunciata (ca. 1670)

Franz Eybl: The Strawberry Seller of Hallstatt (1844)

Friedrich Wilhelm Schadow: Felix Schadow (ca. 1830)

Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller: Roses (1843)

Franz Anton Zauner: Seated Figure of Clio (1779) – in the background paintings of Batoni

Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller: Flowers in a Porcelain Vase with a Candlestick and Silver Vessels (1839)

Friedrich von Amerling: Princess Maria Franziska von Liechtenstein (1836)

Contact Albertina:

albertina.at

You can find more articles about art and culture here.

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Grüß Gott from Vienna!

You already know that the Danube metropolis is one of my favorite cities. The good thing is: Vienna also offers the returning traveler undiscovered and inspiring things. A highlight of my current stay in Vienna is the visit to the State Hall in the Austrian National Library. In the 18th century by Emperor Karl VI. commissioned, the State Hall is one of the most beautiful and spectacular libraries in the world with 200,000 books from four centuries. Already last year an exhibition about the great Maria Theresia was shown in this impressive ambience. This year I was tempted by an exhibition about the secrets of the Freemasons in the Hofburg: 300 years of Masons – the real secret. Absolutely worthwhile with interesting insights and backgrounds about the mystery and myths entwined secret society. Unfortunately, only shown until January 7, 2018!

The Prunksaal in der Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek, the State Hall in the Austrian National Library

As art is known to make you hungry, you can go to the Café Francais after, where you will find typical French snacks such as the wonderful ‘Salade Paris’. A MUST are the homemade fries: Just yummy, especially the curry dip! A good choice for lunch is the Café Le Bol – popular not only because of the delicious salad variations. Speaking of delicious: Breakfast I had in the dairy farm this time. Picturesquely located on the Danube Canal in the midst of the Vienna City Park, the dependance of the star Restaurant Steirereck actually resides on the foundations of a former dairy farm, where dairy products were produced in the Emperors time. The owners of the Steirereck – the Reitbauer family – have made this a duty and offer here alone 150 cheese specialties, which the guest selects under the expert advice of the cheese sommelier.

Me infront of the “Madonna with child” at the Albertina

For all Old Master fans, a visit to the Raffael exhibition shown in the Albertina is a MUST. Again, there is a hurry, because the exhibition will only be shown until January 7th. (For this there will be a detailed report on MyStylery). After so much enjoyment of art, it takes a little breather – or should I say a sugar shock? On to the Christmas decorated Hotel Sacher for a hot chocolate and a piece of the same named cake. Both of course with whipped cream – let’s go the whole hog! I do not just love the culinary here. The lavish decor at the Sacher just now at Christmas time is beautiful and a feast for the eyes.

Vienna – City of lights. I never get tired looking at this splendor. Is there anything comparable?

Afterwards, the calories burn up almost by itself, because let’s go to the Christmas market. This year, for the first time, I visit the market in front of Belvedere Palace, where I admire the magnificent rooms of the Upper Belvedere and the artworks on display there. Above all, of course, the famous works of Gustav Klimt: ‘The Kiss’ and the portrait of the beautiful Judith Holofernes.

The Christmas Market infront of the Schloss Belvedere – too beautiful

In Vienna you let yourself drift through the streets, immerse yourself in the centuries-old architecture of the Inner City, which is so authentically and wonderfully preserved that it would not be surprising if Mozart and his contemporaries suddenly stood face to face. I look forward to the evening and the upcoming premiere of Joseph Roth’s Radetzky March at the Burgtheater. Unfortunately, I did not particularly like the staging, but the more impressive ambience of this world class theater.

The restaurant Salon Plafond is very popular in Vienna. Tip: When reserving ask for a place inside. It’s way too cold on the window side

The culinary question of the evening will be answered with a visit to the Salon Plafond restaurant. We enjoy duck and scampi, the beautiful interior and the friendly service alike. The newcomer to Vienna’s Gastro scene ‚Spelunke‘ is also in great demand (reserve on time !!!) and popularity. Unfortunately, I had to cancel my table because the performance at the Burgtheater took three and a half hours. From the Burgtheater, I took a direct course on a nightcap towards the trendy Bar Fabios , where fabulous cocktails make up for a lot of things. Also about the approaching farewell. But Vienna, you know, I’ll be back!  BvH

Looking for some Christmas presents – it’s never too late ;-))

Magnificent light!

Breakfast in the Meierei (dairy farm) is served from 8 am to 12 noon. A reservation is advisable on the weekend and during Christmas time…

…We chose cheese omelettes and the Viennese breakfast with its excellent apricot jam and homemade bread…

The expert’s advice of the cheese sommelier

Strolling through Vienna with my lovely daughter

The famous but incomplete Wenceslas Bible from the 14th century at the State Hall of the Österreichische Nationalbibliothek

At Café Francais you will find typical French snacks such as the wonderful ‘Salade Paris’…

…A MUST are the homemade fries: Just yummy, especially the curry dip!

Also a good choice: Café Le Bol – Who loves soups and salads, is at the right place here

Vienna in the Christmas glow: what an opulence, what a glamor! For me, Vienna is by far the most beautifully decorated city in the Christmas season

Impressing: The State Hall of Schloss Belvedere…

In the Belvedere the permanent collection of important impressionists and expressionists is shown and finally I could admire Gustav Klimt’s portrait of the beautiful Judith Holofernes …

…and also “The Kiss”

The best hot chocolate is available at the Hotel Sacher!

…Of course with fresh whipped cream…

…and in an elegant atmosphere

Vienna is always good for a surprise: Suddenly I find myself in this dreamlike staircase again, an architectural jewel in the 1st district

Window shopping in the festively decorated Vienna: The shopping heart is laughing

In the 7th district make a detour at Lena Hoschek . Here, the Austrian designer has a charming boutique with a living room atmosphere and lovely details in the midst of the romantic Spittelberg district

Bye bye Vienna…

Tip for Vienna:

Book your taxi from Schwechat Airport to the city (and back) online in advance on flextaxi-flughafentaxi.at at a very low fixed price!

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