If contemporary Austrian and European art is what you’re looking for, then head out to the Essl Museum in Klosterneuburg, just on the outskirts of Vienna. The museum came about from the art collections of Karlheinz and Agnes Essl who have travelled extensively and visited many art galleries in their passion for and pursuit of fine art. The result is a privately-funded museum with over 7,000 works on display and a dynamic environment where art-related activities are offered for both adult and children visitors.
The collections featured in the Essl Museum will give visitors a comprehensive perspective on art in Austria and Europe from 1945 onwards. What is impressive is that aside from the art work, the museum provides a more in-depth look into the history, the influences and the lives of the artists. It also has a good representation of the different art forms that prevailed through the decades such as Abstract Expressionism, Vienna Actionism, Classical Austrian Modernism and New Painting among others. There are seven gallery spaces and a large exhibition hall all used to showcase the art works. Some of the most notable artists include the likes of Arnulf Rainier, Sam Francis, Maria Lassnig, Elke Krystufek, Peter Kogler, Sean Scully, Per Kirkeby, Hermann Nitsch, Herbert Boeckl and many others.
Aside from the galleries, the Essl Museum also has a well-stocked library, a bookshop, a café/restaurant and a separate floor dedicated as a depository for the museum’s vast collection. There are also spaces in the museum where events are held, such as musical concerts and art lectures. Entrance to the Essl Museum is free on Wednesday mornings.
