Klimt Museum (Leopold) and Modern Museum

The Kiss and a few other Klimt paintings are in the Upper Belvedere. The Leopold does have the Schiele collection which its call to fame I think.

The Belvedere in Vienna has the world's largest collection of Klimt oil paintings with 24, including The Kiss. Sorry you missed it.

You didn't quite get the story right about how the Belvedere came to have the paintings. They were looted art, stolen from the home of the family while they were still living there. Only the niece and her husband fled. As the film "Woman in Gold" points out, the paintings belonged to the model's husband, not her, so they were not hers to give to anyone, anyway (and she died years before the war). They had no children. When the niece recovered them, they were sold to the Neue Galerie in NYC, a museum of German and Austrian art, with the stipulation that the portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer be permanently on display. She used the money for many charitable purposes.

" Apparently the Austrians spent tens of millions on this great museum to honor their most famous painter, but now there are none of the well known paintings left. " -- This is patently false . The museum was , in fact , established as a repository for the Rudolf Leopold collection which included some of Klimt's work . It contains the largest assemblage of work by Egon Schiele , anywhere , as well as a massive collection ( over 5,000 objects) of fine art , decorative art , graphics , and much more . The work of the artists and craftspeople of the Wiener Werkstatte also predominate here . As Nancy points out , the sale of " Adele Bloch - Bauer I " did not serve to line Maria Altmann's pockets ( She was in her eighties at that time ) as was evidently implied by the OP . At the very least , the lesson here is do some homework , or , read a guidebook before making a visit , lest you be sorely disappointed

You were in the wrong museum and you got the story of the Woman in Gold completely wrong. Next time, do your research.

One other salient point - Often , I have encountered people who have visited the Louvre , only to be unhappy that they have not seen the gauzy and dreamlike paintings that they associate with " French " art . They didn't prepare , and were on the wrong side of the Seine . For anyone reading this thread -- see the Klimt paintings in the Belvedere , but DO NOT miss The Leopold !! It houses a staggering collection , I will be returning to it this Autumn .

We visited the Neue Galerie in NYC a few weeks ago and greatly enjoyed seeing the portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer, prominently displayed in the permanent collection. We also saw many other Klimt paintings in both Upper and Lower Belvedere last September while in Vienna. The former palace had an entire room devoted to Klimt, while the latter palace had an exhibit about the contribution of Secessionist artists to the great buildings on the Ringstrasse - or something along those lines - and featured two additional Klimt paintings. Completing the trifecta - we also thoroughly enjoyed "The Woman in Gold" film.

I wish the RS Travel Forum had a "like" button - I would be using it a lot on this thread!

He made a mistake. Hardly reason to gang up on him.

Also one could be forgiven for making a mistake about the Leopold. I am in Vienna now and have a brochure entitled Leopold Museum that I picked up. In big letters on the front it says "SCHIELE & KLIMT". So the museum system themselves have it fairly wrong as there way more Klimt paintings in the Belvedere. It's misleading to say the least.

Are you saying you went to the Belvedere to see The Kiss and it was out on loan, or did you go to the Leopold Museum by mistake, and discover you aren't a fan of Schiele?

If you are still in Vienna, go to the Belvedere to see the iconic coffee mug, calendar, kitchen magnet painting and many other Klimts.
Edit: I agree with Emily and hope that not too many people make judgements about what they'll see in Vienna and where based on such a report filled with so many errors.

Gerry, this person is spreading misinformation as well in your post about leasing a car. He is completely wrong about the driving permit. His advice is dangerous and could get someone into trouble.

Honestly, I think if his/her tone was not so "know it all" people might have been a bit easier on him/her.

Apparently I did not figure out that all the information about the Klimt exhibition at the Leopold was fairly misleading. There were a number of his landscapes, postcards, and one famous painting, I think it was life and death. The famous painting no longer in Austria is called Adele Bloch-Bauer, which seemed to be featured on posters all over Vienna. There was also a place on the Kanterstrasse a few blocks down from Stephansdom that claimed to have Klimt originals too but it looked like a tourist trap.

I do think a number of you seem a bit harsh. We did not travel to Austria just to see Klimt, that was one of many bits of entertainment - along with classical concerts, Hapsburg Palace, etc. If I go back, now I know to not believe the tourist literature and do extensive research to get to the bottom of all the locations having Klimt originals.

Although I have recently posted this link elsewhere on this site , I felt it would be appropriate for those of us on this thread . An absolutely brilliant , and probing documentary about Fin De Siecle Vienna . ( notice the subtle use in the cinematography , of shots of the trams and the riders , serving as allegorical stand ins for a greek chorus . ) I hope some of you will watch it https://youtu.be/AFZBOTgL_Hk

Darn. "This video is not available."

As a huge fan of the art of the Secession movement and Wiener Werkstatte--not just Klimt and Schiele but Moser, Moll, Kokoschka and many others--I was in absolute rapture in Vienna, one museum after another filled with exactly the type of art that makes my heart sing. The Leopold was my favourite, followed by the Belvedere--seeing the Kiss in person was a big highlight. The Secession building really only has the Beethoven frieze and of course the exterior is incredibly detailed. I just enjoy what is on display and am not bothered by what is not, or the fact that many major artists have their work in numerous museums--Klimt was in the Leopold, Belvedere, MAK and Wien Stadt museums and I need to return to Vienna to see the Kunsthistoriches.

Norma , sorry , It must be a copyright issue in Canada , it's a BBC production : --- (

Christa , if you can watch the video , the initial segment and introduction is set at Wagner's stunning Kirche am Steinhof ( the stained glass is by Moser )

@ Steve thanks for posting the link. Stunning examples to track down all over Vienna.

Perception of what constitutes good museum content varies--I spent a good 3 hours at the Leopold, each floor had more wonderful discoveries than the last and I was especially pleased with the temporary exhibit of letters, postcards and rough sketches by Klimt and Schiele. If seeing something in particular is important, then be sure you know where to find it. This is true at any museum. Even then you can still be disappointed--the day I visited the Albertina a major section was closed--the Monets, Picassos, Chagalls, etc--and entrance price was reduced--still worth it to see Durer's exquisite Young Hare up close.

Mona , I'm glad you liked it .

@christa: Sorry to tell you this, but I think Durer's 'The Hare' was a copy. I recall during our visit to the Albertina this past September that there is a small note to that effect either near the painting or in the museum guide pamphlet. But it is a great copy!

Yes, when I visited the Albertina, almost all of the drawings on display are copies - this is because the originals are simply too fragile to put on display in the conditions found in the exhibition galleries.