History and Architecture

The Belvedere in Vienna is one of the leading museums worldwide. Its famous art collection includes works ranging from the Middle Ages to the present day. Austrian art in an international context is presented in three locations.  Highlights include the world's largest collection of Gustav Klimt paintings as well as prominent works from the periods of Viennese Biedermeier, Austrian Baroque, Vienna around 1900, and French Impressionism. The institution's central tasks focus on exhibiting, researching, collecting, communicating, and preserving. Ongoing advancements and digitalization in all areas ensures the Belvedere’s significance as an outstanding museum of the future.

Obere Belvedere
Foto: Ouriel Morgensztern, © Belvedere, Wien

Prinz Eugen von Savoyen

 

Prince Eugene of Savoy

(1663–1736)

Prinz Eugen of Savoyen
Jacob van Schuppen, Prinz Eugen von Savoyen nach der Schlacht von Belgrad am 16. August 1717, 1718
© Belvedere, Vienna / Loan of the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam

Prince Eugene of Savoy (1663–1736) made a name for himself as a general and diplomat in the Habsburg Monarchy while also acquiring significant wealth. With cosmopolitan finesse, he cultivated prominent personalities throughout Europe. The ceremonial chambers of his palaces were the settings for lively international exchanges.

Prince Eugene had a lasting influence, not only on politics but also on the art and cultural history of Austria. His buildings and art collection made him one of the most important patrons of his time.

Collection Online

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1663

Prince Eugene Franz of Savoy is born in Paris on October 18 to Eugene Moritz of Savoy and Olympia Mancini, the fifth of their seven children.
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1673

His father dies.
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1683

Having been refused admission into Louis XIV's army, Prince Eugene flees France and joins the army of Emperor Leopold I. He takes part in the Battle of Kahlenberg (September 12). Carlo Emanuele d'Este, Marchese di Borgomanero, welcomes Prince Eugene into his home and introduces him to the court of Leopold I.
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1688

Appointed Field Marshal Lieutenant, Prince Eugene becomes lay abbot of two abbeys in Savoy that provide him with substantial revenues, but also require the commitment to remain celibate.
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1693

Appointed Imperial Field Marshal.
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1694

First buildings are purchased in the Himmelpfortgasse, ushering in an era of active construction work. Over the course of his life, Prince Eugene establishes a substantial collection of paintings, books, and engravings, as well as of plants and a zoo.
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1697

Appointment as Commander in Chief of the Imperial Army in Hungary. The Battle of Zenta (September 11) brings Prince Eugene his first great success as a commander. Several other successful military operations establish his fame as a general. He purchases a large plot of land on the Rennweg, which is gradually expanded as he acquires several other properties.
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1701

Commencement of the War of Spanish Succession – Prince Eugene once again gains fame and honor.
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1703

Named President of the Imperial War Council.
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1704

The Battle of Höchstädt (August 13) leads to a coalition with the British. Terracing work commences on the grounds of the Belvedere.
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1706

Relief of the city of Turin from the French.
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1712

Construction of the Lower Belvedere begins.
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1714

The War of Spanish Succession ends with the Peace of Rastatt (March 6).
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1716

Appointment as Governor in the Austrian Netherlands (until 1724). Battle of Peterwardein (August 5) as part of the Venetian–Austro–Turkish Wars.
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1717

Battle of Belgrade, with a surprise attack launched by Prince Eugene (August 16). Lower Belvedere is completed and construction of the Upper Belvedere commences.
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1718

The Peace of Passarowitz (July 21) not only concludes the Venetian–Austro–Turkish Wars, it also puts an end to the threat from the Ottoman Empire.
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1723

Completion of the Upper Belvedere.
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1724

Appointment as Vicar General of Austrian territories in Italy.
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1725

Prince Eugene acquires Schloss Hof.
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1731

Publication begins of the ten-volume book of Belvedere engravings based on drawings by Salomon Kleiner. What is known as Menagerie Work, a complimentary book on animals and plants in the gardens of the Belvedere, is published in 1734.
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1734

In the spring, and at the request of Emperor Charles VI, the seventy-year-old Commander in Chief assumes command of the Rhine army in the War of the Polish Succession.
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1736

Prince Eugene dies the evening of April 21 in his palais at the Himmelpfortgasse. Funeral services take place on July 9 at St. Stephen’s Cathedral, where he is laid to rest in the Savoy Crypt.

Geschichte des Belvedere

Belvedere Palace

 

The unique, overall complex, with its two palaces, the Upper and Lower Belvedere, and their extensive gardens, is one of the most stunning Baroque architectural ensembles in the world.

 

 

Exterior view Upper Belvedere
Photo: Johannes Stoll / Belvedere, Vienna

 

In the 18th century, the Austrian general Prince Eugene of Savoy commissioned the renowned Baroque architect Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt to build a summer residence. After the death of Prince Eugene, Empress Maria Theresa acquired the entire complex and transformed the Upper Belvedere into an exhibition venue for the imperial collections – making it one of the first public museums in the world. The Marble Hall was the venue for important historical events and now offers an unparalleled view of Vienna. The Lower Belvedere, formerly the residence of Prince Eugene, is home to illustrious exhibitions. The modern pavilion of the Belvedere 21, by architect Karl Schwanzer, sets the stage for contemporary art.

 

Privy garden with view of the Upper Belvedere
Photo: Eva Würdinger / Belvedere, Vienna

The Belvedere’s garden is one of Europe’s most significant historical gardens in French style and, even in its pared down form today, is still a fine example of late Baroque garden design. In front of the Upper Belvedere’s outdoor steps, a large pool mirrors and duplicates the building’s façade. At the opposite end of the grounds, closest to the city on Rennweg, a cour d’honneur abuts the Lower Belvedere. The Kammergarten (Privy Garden) adjoins the Lower Belvedere to the right and continues to the Orangery at its northern end. This narrow strip on the west of the plot of land was for the sole use of the prince. Next to the Upper Belvedere, up until 1726 the grounds extended eastward to encompass a semi-circular menagerie. To the south, a geometrical kitchen garden was located in the area now occupied by Vienna’s Botanical Gardens.

Gardens

Außenansicht UNteres Belvedere
Unteres Belvedere, Außenansicht
Foto: Lukas Schaller / Belvedere, Wien
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1712

Construction work begins at the Lower Belvedere.
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1717

Work begins at the Upper Belvedere.
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1718

The extensive works on the Baroque park are complete; planned by the French garden architect Dominique Girard, they reflect his expertise of water technology and garden design acquired while working in Versailles.
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1719

The Turkish ambassador Ibrahim Pasha is received at the Upper Belvedere. Francesco Solimena, the greatest exponent of Neapolitan painting in his day, is commissioned to paint an altarpiece in the palace chapel and the ceiling painting in the Gold Cabinet. Prince Eugene selects Italian frescoist Gaetano Fanti for the illusionist architectural painting in the Marble Hall.
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1720

Carlo Carlone, a pioneer of the Rococo style, is commissioned to paint the ceiling fresco in the Upper Belvedere’s Marble Hall.
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1723

Completion of the Upper Belvedere.
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1732

To improve its structural stability, the Sala Terrena is remodelled into its current form by Hildebrandt.
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1736

On April 21, Prince Eugene of Savoy dies in his Vienna City Palace. As he did not leave a legally valid will, a commission tasked by Emperor Charles VI appoints his niece Princess Victoria as his heir.
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1752

Maria Theresa acquires the Belvedere estates.
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1770

Lavish celebrations mark the marriage of the Emperor's daughter Maria Antonia to the French Dauphin, the future Louis XVI, on April 17 at the Belvedere.
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1776

Maria Theresa and her son, Emperor Joseph II, decide to move the Imperial Picture Gallery from the Stallburg to the Upper Belvedere. In keeping with the ideals of Enlightened Absolutism, the imperial collection is to be made accessible to the public.
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1777

Inauguration of the Picture Gallery at the Upper Belvedere, hence becoming one of the world’s first public museums.
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1888

The imperial collections are relocated to the newly built Kunsthistorisches Museum. After its opening on October 17, 1891, the Belvedere palaces, for a time, are not used as a museum..
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1896

By decree of Emperor Franz Joseph I in 1896, the Upper Belvedere becomes the residence of the heir to the throne, Franz Ferdinand. The building undergoes renovations led by ministerial architect Emil von Förster.
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1903

The Modern Gallery opens in the Lower Belvedere as a state museum and counterpart to the imperial collections. The intent behind its founding is to present Austrian art in an international context. The collection is enriched by acquisitions from the Ministry of Culture and the Association of Fine Artists Austria–Vienna Secession as well as by donations from private individuals.
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1908

Gustav Klimt's Art Nouveau icon, The Kiss (Lovers), is acquired by the Imperial Ministry of Culture and Education for the Modern Gallery.
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1909

Director Friedrich Dörnhöffer
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1912

The Modern Gallery is converted into the Austrian State Gallery, showcasing a cross-section of Austrian art from the Middle Ages to the present day. The collection's holdings are complemented by loans from the Association of Friends of the State Gallery.
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1915

Director Franz Martin Haberditzl

Extensive expansion of the collection, with prestigious donations and permanent loans from patrons such as the Bloch-Bauer, Lederer, and Wittgenstein families among others. At the request of Adele Bloch-Bauer, some of Gustav Klimt's portraits are entrusted to the Austrian State Gallery on permanent loan.
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1918

The Austrian Gallery is expanded to include both the Upper and Lower Belvedere.
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1938

Director Bruno Grimschitz

Close connections between the museum administration and Nazi authorities are evidenced both by the considerable acquisition budget for "native German art" and by the closure of the Modern Gallery under the false claim of "saving degenerate art from confiscation." Despite substantial measures of recovery, important works such as Gustav Klimt's faculty paintings are lost.
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1945

During World War II the palaces are severely damaged. Bomb strikes destroy parts of the Marble Hall of the Upper Belvedere and the Hall of Grotesques in the Lower Belvedere. Beginning in 1945, the Belvedere palaces undergo reconstruction and renovation.
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1947

Director Karl Garzarolli-Thurnlackh
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1953

On completion of repair work, museum operations at the Upper Belvedere resume as the Austrian Gallery.
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1955

On May 15, the Austrian State Treaty is signed at the Upper Belvedere: “Austria is free!”
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1968

Director Hans Aurenhammer

Exhibition programming is determined by the ministry in charge.
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1982

Director Hubert Adolph

The 1980s are marked by financial constraints and shortened opening hours.
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1992

Director Gerbert Frodl

The 1990s bring about the modernization of federal museums under the heading "A Billion for our Museums." The two palaces undergo extensive renovations and the collections are restructured. Major exhibitions such as Claude Monet (1996), Klimt's Women (2000), and Franz Xaver Messerschmidt attract international attention and set new visitor records.
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2002

The 20er Haus, a pavilion created by Karl Schwanzer for the 1958 World Exhibition in Brussels, is integrated into the Austrian Gallery.
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2007

Director Agnes Husslein-Arco

Installation of a White Cube at the Orangery; remodeling of the 20er Haus and reopening as the 21er Haus; enhancement of the research mandate under the umbrella of the Research Center. The Winter Palais is added as an additional exhibition venue. The Upper Belvedere is positioned as a tourist magnet.
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2016

Dieter Bogner, Chief Financial Officer
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2017

Stella Rollig, Chief Executive Officer and Artistic Director

Wolfgang Bergmann, Chief Financial Officer
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2018

Single-brand strategy of the Belvedere with three locations:

Lower Belvedere, Upper Belvedere, and the Belvedere 21 (formerly 21er Haus).

Geschichte des Belvedere 21

Belvedere 21 outside
Belvedere 21, exterior view
Photo: Lukas Schaller / Belvedere, Vienna

 

Belvedere 21

The building of the Belvedere 21 is considered to be an architectural icon of post-war modernism.

Karl Schwanzer originally created the steel skeleton structure as the Austrian pavilion for the 1958 World's Fair in Brussels, using clear forms, glass halls, and modern building materials. 

After the fair, the building, which received the Grand Prix d'Architecture, was adapted for museum purposes and rebuilt in the Schweizer Garten, opening in 1962 as the Museum of the Twentieth Century. After the museum was relocated in 2002 to the then newly established Museumsquartier (Mumok), the structure was handed over to the Belvedere. 

In 2007, Adolf Krischanitz, a pupil of Schwanzer, began renovations and re-opened it in 2011 as the 21er Haus – Museum of Contemporary Art. In 2018, it was renamed the Belvedere 21 and positioned as a living art space in an up-and-coming urban sector of Vienna.

 

 

The Belvedere 21 sculpture garden showcases works by internationally renowned artists. It is accessible free of charge.

Sculpture Garden

Skulptur Chará der Künstlerin Kris Lemsalu
Kris Lemsalu, Chará, 2023
Photo: Johannes Stoll / Belvedere, Vienna

 

 

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1958

The Austrian pavilion for the world expo in Brussels was built according to the plans of Viennese architect Karl Schwanzer. After the expo, the structure, considered an icon of modern architecture, was adapted for museum purposes and rebuilt at the Schweizergarten in Vienna. The ground floor was vitrified, the courtyard covered, and the facade significantly altered.
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1962

On September 20, the building was inaugurated as the Museum of the Twentieth Century. Within a short time the museum, commonly known as the 20er Haus, became an established and respected venue for contemporary art in Vienna.
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2001

Prior to moving to the newly constructed Museumsquartier, the Museum of Modern Art (today’s mumok) used the building as an exhibition space.
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2002

After being empty for a year, the building was transferred to the Belvedere.
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2007

Architect Adolf Krischanitz, a student of Karl Schwanzer’s, was commissioned with the renovations of the building.
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2011

In November, the renovated building was ceremoniously reopened under a new name: 21er Haus - Museum of Contemporary Art.
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2018

In early 2018, it was renamed the Belvedere 21 and, under the strong umbrella brand of the Belvedere, repositioned as a venue for art, performance, music, and film as well as for lectures, community discussions, and artist talks – a vibrant hub in an up-and-coming urban sector of Vienna.