The Albertina remains one of my favourite locations because of the diversity of exhibitions there. You can find Renaissance etchings in one gallery and a Warhol silkscreen print in the next.
This archive lists all the Albertina exhibitions I’ve reported on in recent years with links to the original review.
Michael Horowitz (2020)
(Michael Horowitz – Mick Jagger, 1967 – Hahnemühle Fine Art Baryta Print – Besitz des Künstlers © Michael Horowitz)
Austrian Michael Horowitz is one of those rare folk who manage to achieve excellence in all sorts of fields.
This small exhibition demonstrated his prowess with the camera. The subjects of his photos included many recognisable personalities from Austria and abroad, but also particular events from modern Austrian history.
Warhol to Richter (2020)
This exhibition of contemporary and modern works featured an exciting and eclectic mix of artists.
The collection introduced me to the breathtaking output of Gottfried Helnwein, for example, as well as feeding us all with tidbits of creativity from such giants as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.
Wilhelm Leibl (2020)
Have to admit I knew little about this 19th-century German realist artist but thoroughly enjoyed discovering his work.
Realist is the key word here – the drawings and paintings portrayed rural life with an honesty and simplicity devoid of fake idealisation. I’m guessing Leibl would not have been a huge fan of today’s instagram influencer culture.
Arnulf Rainer (2019 – 2020)
The retrospective of this contemporary Austrian artist’s work included his famous overpaintings and a thoughtfully-presented display of his crosses.
Such an exhibition illustrates the role the Albertina plays in introducing visitors to the wider world of art. You might come for the Monet and Dürer, but leave having discovered a contemporary genius.
Dürer (2019 – 2020)
Now this was pretty spectacular. Oh my goodness. A very rare opportunity to see Dürer’s works in such number.
We can talk about the utter genius of the man, one of those creative stars who burn brighter than those around them. But all you really need to know is that the exhibition included the Young Hare watercolour.
Maria Lassnig (2019)
Lassnig enjoys an international reputation, but this was my first exposure to the work of this modern painter.
Another retrospective that paid hommage to the wide influence the artist had, particularly through her innovative approach to self-portraiture.
Rubens to Makart (2019)
We can thank the Princes of Liechtenstein for this exhibition, which featured numerous highlights from the princely art collection.
The works included some local stars (like Makart and Waldmüller) but also artists of international fame, such as Rubens, Canaletto, and Arcimboldo.
Monet (2018-2019)
My first major exhibition at the Albertina and not a bad way to start. A collection of around 100 Monets took us on a journey through the artist’s creative evolution.
The selection included such iconic items as paintings from his Rouen Cathedral, Haystacks, Water Lilies, and Japanese Bridge series.