KUNSTHISTRISCHES MUSEUM, VIENNA, AUSTRIA

The Tower of Babel (1563)
by, Peiter Bruegel the Elder (born between 1525 &39, died in 1569). Dutch and Flemish Renaissance painter

The Tower of Babel is one of the 12 renaissance paintings of Peter Bruegel housed in Kunsthistorisches.  A total of 40 artworks painted by Bruegel,  Kunst has the largest and and most important  collections of Bruegels all over the world.
The Tower of Babel painting depicts the story in the bible Book of Genesis where the residents built a city and this tower to unify and prevent to scatter abroad.

Bacchus, Venus and Cupid (between 1595 and 1600)
by Hans Von Aachen (1552~1615)

The Wine God, Bacchus, left hand on Venus' right shoulder,  a glass of wine on his right and  eyes on
her revealed body.  The German painter, Hans Von Aachen, was known for depicting nude subjects.  He had stayed in Venice, Italy for 14 years from 1574.  Aachen principal patron, Rudolf I (Holy Roman Emperor 1574~1612;  King of Hungary, Croatia and Bohemia & Archduke of Austria had enjoyed the mythological erotic scenes on his paintings.

Tarquinius and  Lucretia (around 1600)
by Hans Von Aachen (1552~1615)

The rape of Lucretia by Tarquinius sometime in 500 B.C.  had been subject of visual artists and main topic in the history of arts and literature for many centuries.  Sextus Tarquinius was a son of the last King of Rome and cousin to the husband of Lucretia, Collatinus.  One night, while Collatinus was away from home, Sextus forced himself to Lucretia.  Sextus threatened to kill her and her slave and would give an impression of an adulterous act.  Lucretia gave in to this blackmail and was raped.  He told about the incident to her husband and father. soon after, plunged a dagger into her breast.  Collatinus and Lucretia's father led the end of Monarch through revolution and established Republican Government.

Venus and Adonis (between 1595 & 1597)
by a Dutch painter, Bartholomäus Spranger (1546~1611)

Venus and Adonis represent the ancient Roman goddess and god of love and beauty.  Venus tried to stop his lover, Adonis, to stop from hunting as she was afraid for his safety.  The hunting dog indicates that Adonis was later killed by a wild boar.  The cupid and the doves accompanied Venus.  The background weer influenced by  Hans Von Aachen who was in Prague when Spranger painted this.  Aachen was appointed the court painter in Prague by King Rudolf I who was residing in Prague.

Italian Baroque paintings at Kunsthistorisches, Vienna, Austria

I felt overwhelmed with all these magnificent masterpieces of the great artists of Austria and from other countries among others: Italy, Spain, Greece and Egypt.  Equally amazed as those in Vatican Museum in Rome, Louvre in Paris and Prado in Madrid.  I thought I had seen all, there were a few we missed.  Surely, worth a second visit.

Virgin Mary with Child and St. Anne (1633)
by an Italian artist, Giovanni Battista Caracciolo (1578~1635)

St Anne with her daughter, Mary and the Infant Jesus.  The background of this painting has been criticized for lack of architecture.  I think this painting depicts Mary was raised with a simple life and happiness means to be around with the people you love.

Giovanni Battista Caracciolo was born in Naples,  Italy and was known as an important follower of Caravaggio.

The Penitent Mary Magdalene (between 1621 and 1628)
by an Italian painter, Orazio Gentileschi (1563~1639)

The Penitent Mary Magdalene had been portrayed by many artists, each has unique image and rendition of Mary Magdalene after she witnessed the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  This painting,  the subject's iconic symbols:  skull and book are present with  emphasis  of her physical beauty.  The skull is a reminder of mortality.  The opened book was a sacred one Magdalene is seen reading in another painting.

Orazio Gentileschi was born in Tuscany, Italy.  He started painting in Rome with the mannerism style (sort of like post Renaissance style),  Caravaggio's influence as well after 1600.  He moved to Paris to the court of Maria de Medici, (second wife of King Henry IV of France).  He spent last years of his life at the court of Charles I  England.  I

Thesus Slaying the Centaur (bet 1805 and 1819)
by an Italian Neoclassical sculptor, Antonio Canova (1757~1822)

Theseus was one of the Greek Myth great heroes.  He was invited to the wedding of his good friend, Lapith King Peirithoos to Hippodameia.  The Centaurs (half man half horse) were also invited.  During the big party,  animosity unveled as the hybrid got drunk.  The Centaurs harrased the women and tried to kidnap the bride.  Theseus helped the Lapiths fight against the Centaurs.  Latter were all killed.  Antonio Canova, an Italian neoclassical sculptor would like to convey the nature of animals for lack of human reasoning.

The neoclassical sculpture, Theseus Slaying the Centaur,  was acquired by Emperor Franz I of Austria and was housed in the Theseus temple at the Volksgarten.  It was moved to Kunshistoriches Museum in 1891, on the Grand Staircase.

Antonio Canova was invited by Napoleon to France to do some works for his family.  After the fall of Napoleon, Canova was tasked by the Pope to recover the Italian paintings that were stolen and sent to Paris by Napoleon.

The Triumph of the Renaissance
by Hungarian painter, Mihàly Munkácsy

Renaissance period was from the 13th century to the 17th originated in Florence, Italy.  This period was more of understanding the significance of humanity.  More so, the start of the modernization attributed by among others the  great influence of the Greek scholars migrated to Italy.   Church patronized this style evident of the frescoes on the ceiling.of most of the notable buildings such as Sistine Chapel.

The Triumph of the Renaissance by Mihaly combined  most of the subjects represented in the artwork during the Middle Ages or Modernized period.

1891 Eqypt I & II by
Gustav Klimt (1862~1918)

One of the art works Gustav Klimt contributed   in Kunshistorisches was the monogrammed painting in the intercolumnation near the ceiling, Egypt I & II.   Klimt was an Austrian symbolic painter known for his erotic works- female bare body the primary subject.  Ancient Egyptians, both male and female, wore less clothing.  Female body as child bearer do create life explains the Anch held on the right hand of the nude figure.  More so, Egyptians Antiquity had different idea towards death.  Latter was considered as temporary interruption, life to continue after death.

All the paintings between the arches above the main staircase are the early works of Ernst and Gustav Klimt and Franz Matsch.  Kunsthistorisches was opened for public viewing in 1891.  It was only in 2018 the works of Klimt could be viewed up close following the recently featured in the museum, Stairway to Klimt.  We were fortunate it was opened during our visit.  I believe it could close for few days or months for regular maintenance.

Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria

Kunsthistorisches Museum houses most of the Habsburg art collections by the  Imperial family from the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Baroque period.  Most of the eminent works displayed were masterpieces of the famous artists among them were: Pieter Bruegel, the Elder, Caravaggio, Peter Paul Rubens,  Diego Velazquez and Giuseppe Arcimboldo.

Summer (1563)
by Giuseppe Arcimboldo (1526~1593)

Guiseppe was an Italian painer born in Milan.  The oil painting, Summer, is one of Four Season series.  He also has the four elements series.  The painting Summer is a head  covered by seasoned fruits and vegetables that are available in Summer.  

The paintings: Winter, Fire and Water are in Kunsthistorisches museum.  Air and Earth are privately owned..  Spring is in Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, Madrid and the Autumn is in Louvre Museum in Paris.

Main Staircase, Kunsthistorisches,  Vienna, Austria

The Main Staircase at Kunsthistorisches is also a highlight in the art musuem.  You will not miss Antonio Canova's statue, Theseus Slaying the Centaur, guarded by the two imperial lions.  As we climbed the stairs, eyes towards the painting at the large ceiling, The Triumph of the Renaissance by the Hungarian painter, Mihàly Munkácsy.  At the mezzanine, the amazing art works in between the arches by the three of the great Viennese artists: Franz Matsch, Ernst Klimt and Gustav Klimt.