Famous art in Vienna: Best pieces to see and where

Vienna is home to a remarkable art collection that spans centuries and movements, providing an opportunity to experience the mastery that has shaped art history. From Klimt’s gilded emotions to Schiele’s self-portraits’ introspective realism, the city can show you a perspective behind the brilliance that created the art. Whether it’s a prehistoric figurine or a Renaissance salt cellar, each piece reflects a moment in time. This guide will take you through some of the city’s best art museums and introduce you to the most significant and famous art in Vienna — quietly influential, complex, and invaluable to finally see.

1. The Kiss, Gustav Klimt

Where to see it

Belvedere Palace Museum

Initially viewed as obscene by a post-Victorian audience, “The Kiss” is now seen as the pinnacle of Viennese Art Nouveau and one of the most famous paintings in Vienna. Fusing influences from Ancient Egypt, French sculpture, and Byzantine mosaics, it marks the end of Klimt’s Golden Phase, characterized by the use of gold leaves. The painting is housed in the Upper Belvedere and draws crowds, so book a timed-entry ticket in advance and visit right at opening for the best experience with this masterpiece.

Address

Prinz Eugen-Straße 27, 1030 Vienna

Opening Hours

Every day 9:00 AM-6:00 PM

2. Death and Life, Gustav Klimt

Where to see it

Leopold Museum

Another of Klimt’s significant works, “Death and Life”, poignantly represents mortality and existence. The painting juxtaposes the figure of Death cloaked in black and crosses. To the other side, death is contrasted by a group of humans in various stages of life in a bed of flowers. One of Klimt’s most renowned, this painting is a highlight of the Leopold Museum’s collection in Vienna.

Address

Museumsplatz 1, 1070 Wien, Austria

Opening Hours

Wednesday-Monday 10:00 AM-6:00 PM.
Tuesday Closed.

3. Self-Portrait with Physalis, Egon Schiele

Where to see it

Leopold Museum

Painted in 1912, Schiele’s self-portrait captures his intense gaze and distinct style at the height of his creativity. At just 22, Schiele presents himself as both vulnerable and self-assured. The composition is deliberate; cropped limbs, asymmetrical shoulders, and Chinese lantern flowers heighten tension and harmony. This work reflects a pivotal year for the artist, just before his wrongful arrest disrupted his momentum. An essential painting to see in Vienna, it remains a standout piece in the Leopold Museum’s extensive Schiele collection.

Address

Museumsplatz 1, 1070 Wien, Austria

Opening Hours

Wednesday-Monday 10:00 AM-6:00 PM.
Tuesday Closed.

4. The Art of Painting, Johannes Vermeer

Where to see it

Kunsthistorisches Museum

Also known as “The Allegory of Painting”, this work by Vermeer shows an artist painting a model in his studio. The subject being painted is assumed to be the Muse of History based on her wearing a laurel wreath, holding a trumpet, and holding a book by Herodotus or Thucydides. Renowned for its fine detail and use of light, it’s a must-see in the Kunsthistorisches Museum’s Gemäldegalerie Room XII – don’t forget to book tickets in advance to skip the line.

Address

Maria-Theresien-Platz, 1010 Wien, Austria

Opening Hours

Friday-Wednesday 10:00 AM-6:00 PM.
Thursday 10:00 AM-9:00 PM.

5. Cellini Salt Cellar, Benvenuto Cellini

Where to see it

Kunsthistorisches Museum

Crafted in 1543, this intricate gold and enamel salt cellar by Benvenuto Cellini is a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture. Featuring personifications of the sea and earth, it’s celebrated for its detailed craftsmanship and historical significance. Find this famous art piece in Vienna in the Kunstkammer Wien Room XXIX of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

Address

Maria-Theresien-Platz, 1010 Wien, Austria

Opening Hours

Friday-Wednesday 10:00 AM-6:00 PM.
Thursday 10:00 AM-9:00 PM.

6. Field Hare, Hans Hoffeman

Where to See it

Albertina Museum

Often mistaken for Dürer’s elusive “Young Hare”, Hans Hoffmann’s “Field Hare” is a tribute that mixes scientific observation with artistic style. Hoffmann, a follower of Dürer, adds his own flourish with slightly exaggerated features and a stylized background. The work is part of Albertina’s renowned graphic collection, so book tickets in advance to avoid long queues.

Address

Maria-Theresien-Platz, 1010 Wien, Austria

Opening Hours

Friday-Wednesday 10:00 AM-6:00 PM.
Thursday 10:00 AM-9:00 PM.

7. Madonna of the Rosary, Caravaggio

Where to see it

Kunsthistorisches Museum

An exemplary piece of Italian Baroque, Caravaggio’s “Madonna of the Rosary” showcases his dramatic use of light and shadow. The painting depicts the Virgin Mary and Child distributing rosaries, surrounded by saints and donors. It’s a significant work within the museum’s Baroque collection. Find it in the Kunsthistorisches Museum’s Gemäldegalerie Room VI.

Address

Maria-Theresien-Platz, 1010 Wien, Austria

Opening Hours

Friday-Wednesday 10:00 AM-6:00 PM.
Thursday 10:00 AM-9:00 PM.

8. The Last Judgment, Hieronymus Bosch

Where to find it

Academy of Fine Arts Vienna

Hieronymus Bosch’s three-panelled carving, “The Last Judgment", is a fantastical portrayal of Heaven, Earth, and Hell. Known for its intricate details and imaginative scenes, this famous old master in Vienna is a must-see in the Academy’s Painting Gallery.

9. Venus of Willendorf

Where to find it

Vienna Natural History Museum

One of the earliest examples of art in human history, the “Venus of Willendorf” is an Upper Paleolithic female figurine discovered in 1908 near Willendorf, Austria. Interpreted by some as a fertility symbol, it’s estimated to be around 30,000 years old and housed in the Natural History Museum in Vienna.

Address

Burgring 7, 1010 Wien, Austria

Opening Hours

Thursday-Monday 9:00 PM-6:00 PM.
Wednesday 9:00 AM-8:00 PM. Tuesday Closed.

10. Madonna in the Meadow, Raphael

Where to see it

Kunsthistorisches Museum

This painting depicts a serene scene of the Virgin Mary with Christ and St. John the Baptist, the patron of Florence, in a tender moment against a Tuscan backdrop. In blocking the subjects in pyramidal form, an early-twenties Raphael followed the techniques of Leonardo da Vinci. This peaceful and harmonious piece is one of the greatest Renaissance paintings in Vienna and can be seen in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in the central Maria-Theresien-Platz.

Address

Maria-Theresien-Platz, 1010 Wien, Austria

Opening Hours

Friday-Wednesday 10:00 AM-6:00 PM.
Thursday 10:00 AM-9:00 PM.