Klimt – The Viennese Art Nouveau Genius

Gustav Klimt and Vienna are inextricably linked. Born in 1862 in what is now the 14th district, he was a pioneer of modernism and the Vienna Secession, which he co-founded. To this day, his works can be found in permanent exhibitions throughout the city: in the Secession, Belvedere Palace, the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the MAK, and most recently until September 4th, as a multimedia illusion in the spacious Marx Halle.

Gustav Klimt, The Kiss, picture Belvedere, Vienna

Klimt in Vienna

The original of what is probably Klimt’s best-known painting, “The Kiss”, can be found in the state rooms of Belvedere Palace, which has the largest collection of Klimt paintings with a total of 24 works.

Inside the Secession is the world-famous Beethoven Frieze designed by Klimt. It is a cycle of paintings on three walls.

The narrow wall areas between the arches and columns in the staircase of the Kunsthistorisches Museum are adorned with 40 gusset and intercolumn paintings, eleven of which are paintings by Klimt.

At the end of the 1990s, design drawings by Gustav Klimt for the ceiling paintings of the festive staircase were found in the Burgtheater. These are now on display in a separate “Klimt Room”. (Can only be visited with a guide) Gustav Klimt created the ceiling paintings together with his brother and Franz Matsch.

One of the most important Klimt paintings, “Death and Life”, can be seen in the Leopold Museum. The Wien Museum (currently closed for renovation) has the world’s largest collection of Klimt drawings. The MAK has the magnificent preliminary drawings for the Stoclet Frieze for the Brussels Palais Stoclet on exhibit together with the estate of the famous Wiener Werkstätte.

KLIMT – The Immersive Experience

In the Marx Halle, you will embark on a multi-sensory journey through the unique works of Gustav Klimt. Until September 4th, 2022, you can discover the works of this exceptional artist in a very special experience.

Klimt Experience © COFO Entertainment

On more than 2,000 m², the colorful pictures of Klimt are enlarged several times with the help of elaborate light installations and projections and displayed three-dimensionally on the walls, thus literally bringing the works to life. A total of 200 works are on display, accompanied by music. The entire exhibition becomes a breathtaking multimedia spectacle that completely immerses you in the life of Gustav Klimt.

The best-known works, such as “Adele Bloch-Bauer I” (“Golden Adele”), “Danaë”, the “Beethoven Frieze” and of course “The Kiss”, can be explored in detail in 360° projections. The exhibit ends with visitors getting a look at the most famous pictures through the eyes of the artist using VR glasses.

Important: Be sure to order tickets in advance and pay attention to the time slots.
https://klimt-experience.com/

The Klimt Villa

Atelier Klimt Villa © Photo Tiller

If you want even more Klimt, we recommend a visit to the Klimt Villa. The house in the 13th district was used by Gustav Klimt as a studio from 1911 until his death in 1918. It has been faithfully reproduced based on contemporary descriptions and was only recently opened to the public.

Reachability of the stations of Klimt in Vienna

You can reach all Klimt locations from the Schick Hotels Vienna either on foot or by public transport. To get to the KLIMT – The Immersive Experience, take the U3 to the Erdberg station and then it’s only a few minutes’ walk to Marx Halle. To get to the Klimt Villa, take the U4 to the Unter-St.Veit station.

Header image: Klimt Experience © COFO Entertainment