Medals of Maria Theresa
Charles V
Maria Theresa
WA members and guide
The KHM holds the largest and most important collection of coins minted under Maria Theresa who became a legend during her lifetime. The medals functions as a way to commemorate her reign. Martha Hanreich and members of Welcome to Austria were guided through the exhibition which focuses on the most important topoi in Maria Theresa’s private and public life.
(For further information please click here: https://www.khm.at/en/visit/exhibitions/in-her-majestys-hands/)
Rubens to Makart – Liechtenstein. The Princely Collections
The collections contain major works of European art spanning five centuries and are among the most important private collections in the world. Dating back to the seventeenth century, they are rooted in the Baroque ideal of princely Patronage of the arts. Martha Hanreich and members of WA admired these great collections as well as the new acquisitions.
WA members at Albertina
Princess Marie Franziska von Liechtenstein (Amerling)
Head Study of a Man (Rubens)
(For further information please click here: https://www.albertina.at/en/exhibitions/liechtenstein-the-princely-collections/#)
Koloman Moser II: at the Theatermuseum
To complement the expansive Moser exhibition at the MAK, Stefanie Winkelbauer organised a guided tour at the Theatermuseum. Members of WA gained an insight into the extraordinary multi-talented designer’s creations for all kinds of stages, from cabaret to grand opera.
WA members and guide
Designs by Moser
(For further information click here: https://www.theatermuseum.at/en/in-front-of-the-curtain/exhibitions/applications/)
Guided visit of the MAK’s Exhibition About Koloman Moser
Influence on Moser: Klimt’s sketch “Allegory of Sculpture”
Coordinator Martha Hanreich and members of WA were offered with a very interesting guided tour about the art work of Koloman Moser (1868-1918). Moser was an eminent figure of the Viennese Fin de siècle, part of the Secessionists’ movement. Due to his mastery of a wide range of disciplines – painting, graphic art, arts and crafts, interior design, fashion, scenography – he was one of the leading artists of Vienna’s artistic renewal.
WA members and guide
(For further information click here: https://www.mak.at/en_kolomanmoser)
“Les gens du Nord ont dans le coeur le soleil qu’ils n’ont pas dehors”
(“People from the North have the sun in their hearts which they don’t have outside”)
were the words of the greeting of H.E. Ghislain D’hoop at this year’s traditional Advent Concert of Welcome to Austria. Mrs. Catharine D’hoop Freeman-Thomas, the ambassador’s wife, in cooperation with board member Dr. Elisabeth Wolff, graciously invited WA members to a Jolly Pre-Christmas Musical Tea at the Belgian Embassy. Members first warmed up with a drink in their hands while listening to a transporting piano recital by Fateme Beytollahi.
Under the joyful and experienced guidance of our hostess, all joined in exuberant carol singing that didn’t want to seem to end. To make matters complete, a traditional Christmas Cake was cut and warm wishes were made.
Interesting and hidden places
were discovered by members of Welcome to Austria in Rasha Corti’s tour organised by Clarissa Mayer-Heinisch which concluded with Schnitzel, Spritzer and animated discussions at Figlmüller’s.
Guide Rasha Corti and WA members
Beating the seasonal rush
Villa Wartholz (1870) near Reichenau a.d. Rax
Members and their families took to the enchanting Christmas market set in the lush outreaches of the Vienna Woods at Reichenau an der Rax. The current mistress of the castle welcomed the group for a private tour held at the palatial Villa Wartholz. It was designed in 1870 by Heinrich von Ferstel in the Historical Revival style for Archduke Karl Ludwig of Austria as a recreational and hunting retreat with a splendid view over the valley (and also where Empress Zita gave birth to Otto von Habsburg in 1912).
We left Vienna under a grey sky. But having reached Gloggnitz not a cloud was to be seen and the day at Villa Wartholz ended under splendid sunshine.
tells coordinator Stefanie Winkelbauer who organised the excursion together with Véronique Dorda.
Lunch at the Schlossgärtnerei Café
Hall ceiling
Guided tour at Schloss Wartholz
(For further information click here: http://www.schloss-wartholz.at)
“If It’s Too Long – Make It Longer”
Members and Anne Thun-Hohenstein were received by Gen. Dir. DDr. Christoph Thun-Hohenstein and guided through the MAK’s most interesting exhibition of the well-known artist Thomas Bayrle who combines artisan techniques with computer-generated art from the information Age.
“iPhone meets Japan” (2017) in the Main Hall
“$” (1980)
Artwork by Bayrle
(For further Information click here: http://www.mak.at/e/thomas_bayrle)
Human Grandeur and Harmony of Form at the Albertina
Coordinator Martha Hanreich and members of Welcome to Austria received a guided visit at the Albertina through the first exhibition in Austria presenting works solely by Raphael.
Raphael’s portrait of Bindo Altoviti
Members at the Albertina
Disputa del Sacramento
Raphael’s thought processes and modes of work, from design to final composition, are illustrated not only by masterful drawings but also by around 20 paintings that simultaneously serve as an overview of the artist’s painted oeuvre. The exhibition draws on the rich collections of the Albertina and the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.
(For further information click here: http://www.albertina.at/en/raphael)
Two days, four Castles and a glass of Uhudler
Statue at Burg Lockenhaus
On the second weekend of June, coordinator Anne Thun-Hohenstein took members of Welcome to Austria on a tour to Burgenland, Austria’s eaternmost region.
On day one, members enjoyed a guided tour at Burg Lockenhaus (1242) and the atmosphere of a medieval “knights’ festival”. A visit of Rudolf Kedl’s scultpure garden at Markt Neuhodis propelled them into the contemporary.
Along the Hungarian border with its lovely vineyards we went south to discover “Uhudler”, a local wine specialty. We tasted it in the unique Kellerviertel of Heiligenbrunn where the hotel owner gave his personal comments on the regional architecture and habits.
Rudolf Kedl
Kedl’s sculpture garden
A glass of Uhudler
On Sunday morning, the group went to the medieval town of Güssing with its majestic castle (1157) of the Hungarian Batthyány family. Heading North again, they passed by Schloss Rotenturm.
Batthyány Castle
Schloss Rotenturm
Lunch at a Restaurant on the border of a hidden lake was followed by the grand finale, a guided tour in Burg Schlaining (1271), also known as Friedensburg (“peace castle”) for its being the location of the Austrian Study Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution.
Lunch at the fish restaurant
Burg Schlaining aka Friedensburg
First Vice president Angelika Saupe-Berchtold and Coordinator Anne Thun-Hohenstein with members of WA
(For further information click here: http://www.ritterburg.at, http://www.skulpturen-park.at, http://www.batthyany.at/burg_guessing.o.html , http://www.friedensburg.at, http://www.aspr.peacecastle.eu)