Vienna - Art Treasures

Probably one of the grandest cities in Europe, Vienna boasts an abundance of art treasures that have been accumulated over the centuries by the Hapsburg monarchs and wealthy private individuals.  The city has an astonishing array of monuments, palaces, parks and museums, which themselves house an impressive collection of art and artefacts from all over the world and from all periods of history.  For art lovers, this city is truly a dream of magnificent proportions.

A Roman cameo carved from Onyx, just one of an exquisite collection displayed at the Kunsthistoriches Museum

Hand painted ceramics, amongst a dazzling array of court tableware at the State Apartments and Treasuries.  Gold, silver and the finest porcelain that were once used in state banquets, including the Sevres dinner service that was a gift from Louis XV to Maria Theresa, proudly proclaim the unimaginable wealth of the Hapsburg dynasty. 

The Morning of Corpus Christi, a painting by Ferdinand Georg Waldmuller. This artist, a prominent member of the Biedermeier movement in the 19th century is a new find for me, not having seen his works outside Vienna.  The details, the use of light, and the unusually realistic rendering of expressions is adorable.