Magritte and Matisse. Rothko and Richter. Bacon and Basquiat. Just a few of the names in the Heidi Horten Collection’s Klimt ⮂ Warhol permanent exhibition.
- 50 works in total from many top names
- Art from c.1900 to the 21st century
- A public vote contributed to the choice
- Book entrance tickets* for the collection
- See also:
Modern Masterpieces
(Klimt’s 1916 painting Kirche in Unterach am Attersee in the exhibition; photo by Ouriel Morgensztern and © Heidi Horten Collection)
The idea behind the new permanent Klimt ⮂ Warhol exhibition at the Heidi Horten Collection is to offer a taste of the diverse art movements and eras represented in the archives.
Of course, it helps that you have Gustav Klimt to cover Vienna around 1900. Andy Warhol for pop art. René Magritte for surrealism. Mark Rothko for post-WWII abstract expressionism. And so on…
As such, the exhibition brings together the kind of names earning retrospectives and solo shows in prestigious locations across the globe.
The selection of 50 works actually reflects the preferences of the public.
At a previous special exhibition, visitors could choose their favourites. The results flowed into the choice for the permanent display.
(René Magritte, L’Empire des Lumières, 1961; Heidi Horten Collection © Bildrecht, Wien, 2024)
Gustav Klimt, for example, made it into 4th place in the public rankings with Kirche in Unterach am Attersee. But home advantage proved insufficient to defeat Magritte, Yves Klein and Paul Klee; the latter a surprise winner with his 1930 work, Geschwister.
Klimt’s revenge is to take the No.1 slot at the start of the exhibition. His work feels like a gateway to the new. As if opening the sluice gates to the cascade of creativity that follows.
Geschwister proves one of many works that hold the attention. I suggest standing in the middle of the room and doing a 360 degree turn. A view that takes you on a thematic journey through over a century of masterpieces.
Other works that stood out for me:
- Emil Nolde’s 1913 Red Evening Sun through its raging dark/light contrasts
- Roy Lichtenstein’s 1980 Forest Scene, which sits next to several Warhols: a small section of wall to warm the pop art heart
(Roy Lichtenstein’s 1980 Forest Scene in the exhibition; photo by Ouriel Morgensztern and © Heidi Horten Collection)
- The subtlety of Gerhard Richter’s 1966 Snowy Landscape
- The wry humour in Maurizio Cattelan’s 1997 Senza Titolo (Zorro)
- The strange fascination held by Sue Williams’ 1997 Purple on Yellow with Sun
Klimt ⮂ Warhol occupies the ground floor of the building, and the layout feels a little like an art installation itself.
Artist Markus Schinwald created a more intimate museal experience with a touch of the domestic to it. As if to confirm the sense of perusing a private collection. Images of furniture appear on the walls; Edvard Munch’s 1904 self-portrait thus seems to hang above a chest of drawers, for example.
Tickets & tips
An entrance ticket for or from the Heidi Horten Collection includes the exhibition(s) within.
(Booking service provided by Tiqets.com*, who I am an affiliate of)
Be sure to look out for any special exhibitions in the floors above, too.
And if the eras and artists in the permanent display appeal, take a look at what’s on at the Albertina, Albertina Modern, and Leopold Museum: these often feature similar names and movements.
How to get there
The main Heidi Horten Collection article has travel tips: the location lies within the borders of the old town.
Address: Hanuschgasse 3, 1010 Vienna