The Kunstkammer at the Kunsthistorisches Museum is one of the most significant collections of its kind worldwide and encompasses the period of history from the late Middle Ages to the Baroque era. The members of the Habsburg family collected many fascinating objects made of gold, silver, ivory, and other rare materials including precious stones, ostrich eggs, corals, and shark teeth – around 2,200 of these wonders are on display in the Kunstkammer. The highlights of the exhibition include Salt Cellar by Benvenuto Cellini in addition to feats of technical genius such as automata, watches, and scientific instruments.
Insights into the exhibition
The Renaissance and Baroque Chambers of Art and Wonders were encyclopaedic universal collections that aimed to capture the entire spectrum of knowledge of their age. They also underline the wealth of their owners, their religious convictions and power, and the technical achievements of their time.
Address
Kunstkammer, Hochparterre
Maria-Theresien-Platz, 1010 Vienna
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Opening times
Tue - Sun, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Thu until 9 pm
Tickets
Adults €23
Reduced admission €19
Kids / Teens under 19 free
On average, visitors spend around 1.5 hours in the Kunstkammer.
Dive into the microcosm of the Kunstkammer: the world of beauty, curiosities, and wonders is presented across 20 thematically designed spaces.
Some members of the Habsburg family made a significant contribution towards expanding the Kunstkammer’s inventory. The most important of these were the collections belonging to Margaret of Austria, Archduke Ferdinand II of Austria, Emperor Rudolf II, and Leopold Wilhelm. All had a special interest in ‘naturalia’ (objects from nature), artworks, memorabilia, and scientific instruments that still shape the identity of the collection today.
The Kunstkammer is permanently located on the ground floor.
The Kunstkammer showcases approximately 2,200 fascinating objects, technical masterpieces, and rare materials such as ivory, ostrich eggs, and corals from the late Middle Ages to the Baroque period.
Starting in Mechelen: Margaret of Austria
The Habsburg Kunstkammer was conceived in the 16th century. Margaret of Austria, the daughter of Emperor Maximilian I, took over the regency of the Netherlands in 1507 and made her residence in Mechelen a hub for artists and scholars. Margaret’s collection was spread over a number of living and recreation rooms on the first floor of her residence. It contained books, tapestries, paintings, sculptures, scientific instruments, medals, naturalia, and objects made from ivory, silver, and gold. Margaret aimed to articulate the Habsburg family’s political success and her own piety through her collection.
The first Museum: Ferdinand’s Chamber of Art and Wonders in Tyrol
As the 16th century progressed, many courts built up collections containing a wide range of pieces. One of the most impressive chambers of art and wonder belonged to Archduke Ferdinand II of Austria and was housed at Ambras Castle in Innsbruck. This collection was stored in a wing of his castle that had been constructed specifically for the purpose. 20 boxes containing objects, primarily arranged by material, stood in one room. Ferdinand’s collection was predominantly made up of pieces acquired from the collections of Emperor Friedrich III, Maximilian I, and Ferdinand I.
Adler, 1.-2. Jahrhundert, Inv. Nr. ANSA I 16
I’m collecting the world for myself: Rudolf II’s Prague Collection
Emperor Rudolf II was one of the most notable collectors and patrons in the history of the House of Habsburg. He had nine rooms constructed in his palace in Prague to house his paintings, library, and art chamber. The inventory for his ‘great art chamber’ was created between 1607 and 1611 and is still preserved today. From this, we can see that he also arranged the pieces in boxes, chests, and cabinets. Many of Rudolph’s treasures were lost forever in the looting of Prague Palace during the Thirty Years’ War. Shortly before this, a few superb examples of goldsmithing and lapidary art produced around 1600, along with automata, watches, and masterful bronzes, were safely transported to Vienna and incorporated into the collection there.
Ein Abbild der Welt: Zuwachs unter Leopold Wilhelm
Im 17. Jahrhundert wurde die Sammlung durch die Bestände aus der Kunstkammer Leopold Wilhelms noch einmal maßgeblich erweitert. In seiner Zeit als Statthalter der Niederlande erwarb er neben rund 1400 Gemälden auch außergewöhnliche Renaissancebronzen sowie zahlreiche Kleinplastiken aus Stein und Holz, aber auch einige wenige sogenannte Exotica, Objekten aus fernen Ländern. Er brachte seine Sammlung 1656 nach Wien und richtete seine „Kunstkammer“ in der Stallburg ein. Leopold Wilhelm folgte seinen Vorgängern und verwahrte eine Vielzahl verschiedenster Objekte nebeneinander, um in seiner Sammlung ein Abbild der Welt zu zeigen.
Neuordnung im 19. Jahrhundert
Durch die Einrichtung der Kaiserlichen Schatzkammer, des Kunsthistorischen Museums und des Naturhistorischen Museums unter Kaiser Franz Joseph I. (1830–1916) veränderte sich die Aufteilung der Sammlung nachhaltig. Die ursprünglich gemeinsam verwahrten Naturgegenstände, Objekte, Gemälde, Antiken, Münzen etc. wurden aus den Gesamtbeständen herausgelöst und auf einzelne Sammlungen aufgeteilt. Im 1891 eröffneten Kunsthistorischen Museum wurden schließlich alle Kunstkammerbestände vereint. Objekte mit Insigniencharakter und solche, die an Mitglieder des Kaiserhauses erinnern, werden in der Schatzkammer gezeigt.
Our exhibitions take you back to the rich history of our museum. Here, proven masterpieces meet newly explored themes - a look at art, culture and the past that continuously illuminates the collection.
