Art lovers will certainly appreciate the Leopold Museum in Vienna, whose paintings introduce the work of famous artists. With a large collection of Schiele and Klimt, this modernist museum invites both adults and students to experience the world of beauty.
Inside, the unassuming, bright building hides a veritable treasure trove of Viennese art. Outside, children may only be interested in the unusual benches at the main entrance, but inside there is plenty for children with a passion for art to see.
To get an idea of the size of the collection, it's worth noting that there are around five thousand pieces on display. An audio guide is available in English, French, Spanish and German. So we invite everyone who loves and is interested in painting, and who wants to introduce it to children, to take a few hours out of their day and visit the Leopold Museum.
The history of the museum
The Leopold Museum in Vienna has an extensive collection of paintings, most of which belong to the Leopold family. The head of the family, Rudolf Leopold, was a doctor and a highly respected citizen of Vienna. In addition to his profession, he had a passion for collecting art.
His private collection of paintings began with the acquisition of works by the Old Masters, but later Rudolf and his wife Elisabeth moved to the modern wave, collecting works by the Modernists and Expressionists.
The result was a diverse collection with no clear stylistic direction. The passion for painting engulfed the family to such an extent that even their medical practice was abandoned and the Leopolds devoted all their time to collecting paintings.
The state bought 5,000 works of art from the family. In 1994, the Leopold Collection was declared the property of the Republic of Austria, and in 2001 it was renamed the Leopold Museum. Professor Leopold became the museum's permanent director, and after his death in 2010 the museum was taken over by his son, who is still in charge of the permanent exhibitions.
The architecture of the building itself is a striking contrast to the ensemble of the former imperial stables. From the outside, the museum looks like a snow-white cube. Inside, there are three upper floors of exhibition space and a lower, artificially lit floor of graphic art.
The total exhibition area is 5,400 square metres. There are upholstered benches in the halls so that tourists can rest or admire the works in more comfortable conditions.
The sleek building was designed by the architects Ortner+Ortner. Its austere form contrasts with the unusual interior, with oak parquet flooring and an abundance of brass elements covered in artificial spider webs. In addition to permanent exhibitions, the building also hosts temporary exhibitions.
Exhibitions at the Leopold Museum
The museum houses the world's largest collection of works by Egon Schiele. And this part of the collection can be considered a local treasure. Works by the Austrian Impressionist include The Setting Sun, Houses or City on an Island, The Cardinal and the Nun, Dead City, A Lying Woman and Self-Portrait with Lantern Flowers.
As well as paintings, the museum also houses original documents relating to the artist's life and work. You can spend a long time looking at the art — there is no time limit on a visit to the museum. Take a break in one of the local cafés, relax on one of the benches or visit the souvenir shop.
Works by modernist Gustav Klimt are also on display. "Silent Pond, Attersee and the iconic painting Death and Life. Other masterpieces include works by famous Austrian and foreign artists such as Richard Gerstl, the expressionist painter and sculptor Oskar Kokoschka, Koloman Moser, Waldmüller and Anton Romako.
In addition to paintings, the exhibition includes a selection of art objects from the Viennese workshops. There is also a shop with themed souvenirs to take home, such as packs of postcards, catalogues, jewellery and silk scarves.
The Leopold Museum has a café serving Asian and Viennese cuisine. Children will love the apple strudel, while adults will enjoy the delicious coffee. The terrace overlooks the inner courtyard of the Museumsquartier.
After seeing the collection, it's nice to relax and enjoy the scenery. You can take photos in the grounds and in the building, so you'll not only have a pleasant experience, but you'll also get a lot of great shots. So if you like painting and want to introduce your children to the works of famous artists, take the family to the Leopold Museum.
