Hidden Archives and a Rooftop with a View

Backstage Visit of the NHM

On a beautiful evening of May, Clarissa Mayer-Heinisch and members enjoyed a backstage visit to the Natural History Museum, guided by the director of the Department for zoology Martin Löbl and the scientist Stefanie Jovanovic-Kruspel. After a walk through the archives and hidden places of the museum, the museum’s rooftop awaited them with drinks and a marvellous view over the city of Vienna.

(For further information on the Natural History Museum please click here: https://www.nhm-wien.ac.at/)

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)