Klimt

For a future trip you might want to go to Peles Castle in Romania where there is intact a room done in part with murals by Klimt.

One consideration about visiting hinges on when ( seasonal ) you will be visiting . If you go early in the day , you will avoid the worst of the crowds ( I find this to be the case in virtually all museums ) . Having said this . DO NOT heed the accepted wisdom about passing by the lower palace . Special exhibitions are routinely held there , and in addition to the regular collection in the upper palace , you can see some of the finest art in these very special shows . As much as I loved the upper palace , there was a special show in the fall when we visited entitled " Dekadenz " in the lower palace which blew me away . Currently , through June 14 is a show entitled " Vienna - Berlin , The Art of Two Cities " . Go to the website for a synopsis , it is reminiscent of a show in NYC at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in recent years entitled " Glitter and Doom " which paralleled the same material . The paintings in this show build on the works of Klimt and show the evolution into the twentieth century . Between both the upper and lower palaces and the grounds , allow a full day . For a break , the afternoon Jause in the café was among the best in a city rightly known for coffee and pastry , Finally , pay mind to any of James' thoughts . Few people have the level of taste and sophistication as he . He always gives me new things to think about .

If you are really a fan of G. Klimt, you should go to the Klimt Villa in Hietzing. Take the 58 Tram from the Westbahnhof to Veitzingasse and walk down Feldmulergsse. The Klimt Villa is G. Klimt's last atelier in Wien. Also, it is the only memorial to Klimt as the others are extinct. His apt on Westbahnstrasse was destroyed during the war and the atelier on Josephstrasse is now an apt bldg.
You can take a tour of the Villa, which has been restored to its original design and also look at the lovely gardens. Some of these very same gardens Klimt painted as landscapes and they are now in the Leopold Museum, which I dont believe has been mentioned.
Lastly, you can pay your respects to Gustav, who is buried in the Hietzing cemetry, not far from the Klimt Villa.
Enjoy your visit to schon Wien.
Susan von

When I visited the Belvedere I only did the upper part and the gardens. For me, I went to see The Kiss since I'm also a fan. That was my main reason for going. If you really enjoy art and haven't had your fill of museums then it would be worth doing both portions. Especially, since its not that much more for the combo ticket. I didn't make a reservation but simply bought my ticket on the spot. That worked just fine and that was during the summer.

I would like to broaden my comments about my visit to the Belevedere in light of Jenn's post . Having been a Klimt fan for many years , I also felt that " The Kiss " was a major work worth seeing , and I would never view anyone's desire to see it as limited . I am an inveterate museum visitor , not only art museums , but Railway and Maritime museums , Cornish tin mines , and the list goes on . Whether in Europe or here at home . and particularly in art museums , I have found repeatedly , that in order for an institution to remain relevant it must continue to expand on its permanent collection . Although my last visit to the Belevedere was my first , it will , undoubtably , not be my last ( I hope ! ) As an example , here in Massachusetts ( quite near my home in NY ) The Norman Rockwell Museum holds a wonderful collection of that artists work . More importantly , exhibitions of works by artists who work in the medium of illustration take turns in the special exhibition galleries , thus broadening my appreciation of the craft of illustration , for which Rockwell was famous . On my trip to Europe this past fall , several of the museums I visited had special exhibitions ( like the Belevedere ) that added further perspective to my visits ( " Napoleon's Sisters " at the Marmottan , and " Desirs et Volupte A L'epoque Victorienne " at the Jacquemart - Andre , both in Paris ) My point is , when you are in any museum , Always look for the temporary shows . Don't let them elude you , you will miss much .

Everyone thank you very much for your feedback! The Kiss will be showcased while I am there with works by Andy Warhol. Can't wait!