Sunday, July 26, 2026

The Carlone Hall

This ceremonial room was painted between 1722–1723. The spectacular ceiling fresco depicts the Triumph of Aurora, filling the room with movement, light, and illusion. It uses "trompe l'oeil" technique to make the ceiling appear much higher than it really is. A good example of trompe l'oeil can be found in San Satiro in Milan.(https://slsongtravel.blogspot.com/2022/12/san-satiro.html)










If you look at the ceiling from below, it will appear distorted

Saturday, July 25, 2026

The Marble Hall

The highlight of the Marble Hall is its magnificent ceiling fresco completed around 1721. It glorifies Prince Eugene of Savoy through a rich allegory of Fame, History and God and Angels, descending from heaven. It is considered one of the finest examples of Austrian Baroque art. The Austrian State Treaty (recognising Austria's sovereignty after World War II) was signed here in 1955.

















Thursday, July 23, 2026

Gustav Klimt

This was the main reason for our visit, as we wanted to see The Kiss in real life. The Upper Belvedere holds the world's largest collection of paintings by Gustav Klimt. This is the best place to understand the evolution of his career since the paintings include every stage of his career.


Schloss Kammer on Lake Attersee III and Cottage Garden with Sunflowers



Avenue to Schloss Kammer (1912)



Flowering Poppies



Amalie Zuckerkandl (1913)



The Bride (1918 unfinished)



Adam and Eve (1916-1918)



Fritza Riedler (1906)



Woman in White (1917-1918)



Sonja Knips (1897-1898)



Judith (1901)





Portrait of MarieBreunig (1894)



The Kiss (1907-1909)

"The Kiss, probably Klimt's most famous work, was painted at the height of his Golden Period without a commission. It shows a couple, melting into one, at the edge of a meadow of flowers. Only the difference patterning of the robes distinguishes their bodies that are enveloped in a shimmering golden halo .Klimt actually used real gold leaf ,silver and platinum in his picture. He presumably started work on it in 1907..." (taken from the write up in the museum)




Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Upper Belvedere 2

The Upper Belvedere houses one of Austria's most important art collections spanning from the Middle Ages to the early 20th century.



Self Portrait, Laughing 1908
Richard Gerstl



Falling Leaves
Olga Wisinger-Florian



Nude Looking in the Mirror
Helene Funke



The Embrace
Egon Schiele



Adolescentia
Elena Luksch-Makowsky
( I thought this was by Klimt)



Portrait of Père Paul
Claude Monet



At the Latin bridge in Sarajevo
 Friedrich Alois Schonn,









Maria Christina, Duchess of Teschen 



Character Head



The Family of Count Nikolaus Pálffy von Erdöd



Napolean at the Great St Bernard Pass



Lady on an Armchair



Rudolf von Arthaber and his Children Rudolf, Emilie, and Gustav

Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Upper Belvedere

The Upper Belvedere was constructed between 1717 and 1723. It was designed primarily for grand receptions, ceremonies and entertainment rather than everyday living. Today, it houses a museum featuring many masterpieces, including an impressive collection of works by Gustav Klimt. This was the main reason for our visit, as we wanted to see The Kiss in real life.




The Sala Terrena
The four colossal Atlas figures support the vaulted ceiling on their shoulders .