Beginning in February 2025, the Kunsthistorisches Museum will introduce a groundbreaking exhibition dedicated to the artist Daniel Neuburger (1621–1680) and his remarkable art of deception. 'Wax in His Hands: The Art of Deception by Daniel Neuburger' showcases the master's virtuosity in sculpting with wax and imitating various materials and surfaces. His artworks, often only a few centimeters in size, were highly sought after across Europe, and they continue to impress with their eye-deceiving illusionism today.
Starting March 11, 2025, the Kunsthistorisches Museum will showcase an extraordinary exhibition featuring masterpieces by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Giuseppe Arcimboldo, Jacopo and Leandro Bassano, along with other remarkable artists from the 16th century. It explores how Renaissance individuals navigated a world in transition, experiencing the changing seasons, the rhythm of nature, and the passage of time. The exhibition Arcimboldo – Bassano – Bruegel: Nature's Time vividly illustrates the preoccupations of artists from this era and their evocative representations of cyclical time, natural observations, and rich allegorical imagery.
This special presentation, Vitrine EXTRA, showcases various ancient artifacts as temporary additions to the permanent exhibition at the Collection of Greek and Roman Antiquities in the Kunsthistorisches Museum. In its sixth edition, it delves into the colorful aspects of Greco-Roman antiquity. The display focuses on a relief of the god of light, Mithras, emphasizing the vivid polychromy of Roman statues and monuments, revealing their originally vibrant appearance.
In its 29th edition, the special presentation 'Point of View' regularly showcases different artworks within the permanent collection of the Picture Gallery at the Kunsthistorisches Museum. This exhibition highlights a masterful portrait of nine-month-old Princess Maria Teresa of Naples and Sicily, allowing visitors to delve into the artistry of the court painters Anton Raphael Mengs and Diego Velázquez. Mengs' depiction of the princess is remarkable for its artistic finesse, merging traditional representation techniques with a newfound sense of naturalism and vitality. The painting also reflects an evolving perspective on childhood that emerged during the 18th century, greatly influenced by the educational philosophies of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, which were particularly appreciated by Maria Carolina.
This exhibition highlights the medal as a significant form of art. It explores the evolution of artists' roles from the Renaissance and early Baroque eras' universal geniuses to specialists in various art forms towards the end of the monarchy. 'Imperial Impressions' celebrates artists who were prominent at Habsburg courts and residences, showcasing their versatility across disciplines such as architecture, painting, and sculpture. Featuring approximately eighty works, including medals, coins, paintings, gemstones, ivory, and goldsmithery, the exhibition illustrates the high-quality output that reflects the period's artistic excellence, with most items drawn from the museum's collection and supplemented by loans from various institutions.
This project aims to conduct a comprehensive study of the polychromy of Roman period stone artifacts, particularly sculptures and architectural elements, in the Noric-Pannonian region. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, aspects such as polychromy as a design tool, ancient color symbolism, and the use of various painting techniques will be examined. A special focus is placed on objects related to the Mithras cult from Carnuntum and the significance of color in religious and ritual contexts.
Starting on May 16, 2025, the Theseus Temple will host the exhibition "Shannon Alonzo: Washerwoman," curated by Hanin Hannouch. This neo-classical structure, designed by court architect Peter von Nobile in 1823, was initially intended as a dedicated space for a single contemporary artwork—Antonio Canova's white marble masterpiece, "Theseus Slaying the Centaur." For nearly seventy years, this significant sculpture was the sole occupant of the temple until it was relocated in 1891 to the newly constructed Kunsthistorisches Museum, where it remains today. Over a century later, the Temple has resumed its original function, showcasing remarkable contemporary artworks, one at a time, starting with this exhibition in 2025.
In the fall of 2025, the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna will host a significant exhibition dedicated to Michaelina Wautier, celebrated as one of the leading female artists of the seventeenth century. This exhibition allows visitors to traverse nearly the entirety of Wautier's unique artistic output alongside works by her contemporaries, including the renowned Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony van Dyck. This retrospective not only brings to light Wautier's major contributions to the art world but also situates her work within the broader context of her time.