We enjoyed a lot this private tour. The guide was very interesting and very knowledgeable. She adapted to all our constraints and to what we wanted to see. She could answer to all our questions. Plus she was charming and very friendly.
Sophie
From Medieval to Contemporary: How Artists make us Feel and Understand their Works. A Tour of the Belvedere and Belvedere 21
The Belvedere Palace and Belvedere 21
At the Belvedere, you will see works from every period as points of intersection between politics and creativity, art and medicine, the personal and the social. You will learn what you should know about the psychology of art, the personality of the artist, and the demands of the viewer to understand how to read the meanings of works from the Middle Ages to the present. We will begin our tour in the collection of medieval art, because this is when the attitude towards art as a truthful visualization of reality was formed. You’ll see for yourself how easily and “naturally” we can read colors and gestures and translate their meaning into our daily lives. And we’ll discuss why art has succeeded in creating an alternative reality to life. In Messerschmidt’s collection of “Character Heads,” you’ll learn how the celebrated sculptor’s interest in depicting hidden fears led him to financial bankruptcy, a reputation as a madman, and, after his death, his status as the first “painter of the soul”. And since it was the study of the soul that was the focus of both science and art during the Fin de Siècle, we will see through the works of modernist artists – Munch, Van Gogh, Schiele, Kokoschka, Klimt, Rodin – the variety of interactions between medicine and art. It is the changes in the definition of the essence of art that occurred then that will define the boundaries of art today. You’ll see how, as time goes on, it becomes more and more difficult to separate science from culture and art from politics. The second part of our tour will be a walk through the contemporary art collection at the Belvedere Museum and the Belvedere 21 exhibition hall, where exhibitions of works by contemporary artists are held. We will look at and analyze the works of Vali Export, Franz West, Louis Bourgeois, Joseph Beuys and the messages that should have meaning for us. We will evaluate the artists’ attempts to visualize neuroses, escape from the fear of death, or to create a comfortable environment for art. We will try to see and understand what makes (and doesn’t make) contemporary art important and interesting to us. Julia was extremely well informed . She put the art of Klimt period in a larger Context which was very interesting. Julia answered questions and engaged us as well. It was a great experience with a capable and charming guide. I must add her English is great.
Tour description & direct booking
Overview
Cultural and Natural Perception of Art
From Mesmerism to Psychoanalysis, from Messerschmidt to Kokoschka
Analyze it!
Belvedere Palace
(The Upper Belvedere)
Park (optional) 
Belvedere 21 
All collections 
3-3,5 h 
1-4 
395 € per group up to 4 people 
You can buy museum entrance tickets by yourself or add them to your order Book this tour
Read what other customers say about our guided tours:
Explaining Austria’s artistic heritage within its unique historical and cultural context. Our expert guide, Ms Julia Abramova, explained Austria’s priceless artistic heritage within its unique, historical and cultural context.
Must! We have traveled the world to see the greatest masterpieces and have enjoyed tours by many. This tour is without a doubt one of the best we ever had. She’s passionate, knowledgeable, & intriguing in every way. This wasn’t our first visit to the museum, the second time with her was definitely more memorable. Highly recommended. Looking forward to our next tour with her in this great city of Art.
Excellent tour! It was a fantastic experience, and most outstanding part was our guide, Julia. So knowledgeable, with a witty sense of humor and also responded to what our interests are. Would highly recommend!
My guide, Julia, used the museum’s guidemap as a handy rubrik to explain an enlightening thesis to these questions. Her mini iPad was at the ready to broaden our journey with examples that cross reference an artwork with others and provide context. She personalized the talk with a few questions to start. In response, I requested Bronzino as a dessert course. Highly recommended! Also, there’s a turqoise hippo.
