Enjoy the works of European masters alongside modern art in the gilded surroundings of this Imperial Habsburg palace.
Albertina is home to works from some of the biggest names in the art world, from Monet to Rembrandt, Klimt to Picasso. It also houses the largest collection of old master prints in the world, including over one million prints and 60,000 drawings. The world-class permanent collection is complemented by a wonderful range of rotating displays, showcasing the incredible scope of the collection here – and everything is housed in the preserved splendour of a wonderful Habsburg residence.
Found in the southern end of the Imperial Palace, Albertina was inaugurated in 1776 by Duke Albert of Saxony-Teschen, the husband of Maria Christina and son-in-law of Empress Maria Theresa. Today it is home to a fabulous range of works, including the beautiful and fascinating Monet to Picasso timeline, which traces the evolution of techniques and styles in European art over the course of 130 years, from the French Impressionists to the German Expressionists, and on to the Modernists. More recent artists such as Klimt and Warhol are also on show, while numerous other individual galleries offer an ever-changing insight into the enormous collections held here.
Soak in the fantastic Water-Lily Pond by Monet, and enjoy Renoir’s renowned Portrait of a Young Girl. The range of artists and eras covered in the galleries is often breathtaking, varying from Rubens to Warhol, Leonardo da Vinci or Raphael to Cézanne or Schiele. You’ll want plenty of time to appreciate the wonderful works on show, so allow at least a full afternoon or a morning for your visit.
Take in the ornate and opulent Habsburg staterooms, which contain furniture dating from the time of Maria Christina. The photographical and architectural collections are also not to be missed.
Albertina is open on a daily basis, with the exception of Christmas and New Year’s Day. It is open late on Wednesdays. There is a fee for entry, with an extra charge for an English-language audio guide. The museum is located in the middle of Vienna, and is easy to reach via public transport.
