Gold of the Archbishops

Bankhaus Spängler is a venerable institution not only in Salzburg: it opened a branch office in Vienna in 1996. Its 180-year history make this family business Austria’s oldest bank. It owns the most important collection of gold coins and medals from Salzburg from the time the city was ruled by Prince Archbishops. 100 of the choicest pieces will be on show in a “gold safe” at the Kunsthistorisches Museum September 8 – October 13, 2010.

The history of the Spengler family is closely intertwined with the history of the bourgeoisie and patronage, money and art. This travelling exhibition, put together by the Museum Salzburg and the Bankhaus Spängler, traces the history of the Spängler family from innkeepers in South Tyrol to successful bankers in Salzburg.

The show’s setting is the Berger Hall in the Kunsthistorisches Museum. Its colossal ceiling painting by Julius Berger depicts „Patrons of the Arts from the House of Habsburg“ from Emperor Maximilian I to Emperor Franz Joseph I, creating a connection to the history of Austria.

Curators of the exhibition

• Peter Husty and Eva Maria Feldinger
  (Salzburg Museum)
• Johann Seitlinger and Erich Erker
  (Bankhaus Spängler)