Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, Art academy in Schillerplatz, Vienna, Austria
The Academy of Fine Arts Vienna occupies a four-storey Neorenaissance building on Schillerplatz, erected 1872–1876 to plans by Theophil Hansen at a cost of 1,200,000 gulden. Its pale stone facade rises from a central staircase flanked by two bronze equestrian statues; paired columns frame four dark wooden doors, and statues stand in niches between the tall arched windows of the two upper storeys.
Court painter Peter Strudel's studio from 1692 received imperial status in 1725 under Emperor Charles VI. In the 19th century the institution moved into its current building, solidifying its role as a state art school.
The name reflects the Habsburg tradition of training court artists and displaying their work in ceremonial rooms. Today students use studios and workshops for contemporary projects while visitors view paintings spanning several centuries.
The picture gallery opens Tuesday to Sunday between 10 AM and 6 PM and sits directly on Schillerplatz in the center. The entrance is located on the ground floor where information about guided tours and temporary exhibitions is available.
The Paintings Gallery grew from the 1822 bequest of Count Anton Lamberg-Sprinzenstein, whose collection still forms its core; Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller became its first curator in 1829. Alongside Bosch's Last Judgement Triptych hang works by Cranach the Elder, Titian, Rubens, Rembrandt and Guardi. The academy also keeps a Graphic Collection of 40,000 drawings, 25,000 photographs and 38,000 prints, and about 450 plaster casts.
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