Habsburg Splendor: Masterpieces from Vienna’s Imperial Collections By: Shelby Reininger Humanities Project

1. Showcases masterworks and rare objects from the
collection of the Habsburg Dynasty—the
emperors of the Holy Roman Empire and other
powerful rulers who commissioned extraordinary
artworks now in the collection of the
Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.

2. –
The Habsburg Family
™ The Habsburg family
ruled much of Europe
for more than 600 years.
Centered in Vienna,
their territories-won
and lost through wars
and marriages-
stretched as far as
Mexico and the
Philippines.

3. –
™ For much of their rule, the Habsburgs served as
emperors of the Holy Roman Empire whose rulers
benefited from the spiritual authority and pedigree it
implied, through a linage supposedly stretching back
to ancient Rome and the tacit or actual approval of
the Pope. It lasted until Napoleon’s Army defeated
its allies in 1806. The Habsburgs continued to rule as
emperors of Austria and kings of Hungary and only
finally relinquished power when defeated in 1918.
The Habsburg
Background

4. –
After Bernhard Strigel
™ German, 1460-1528
™ Kunsthistorisches
Museum in Vienna
™ Oil on panel
™ Portrait of Maximilian
™ Crowned German King
in 1486
™ Crowned Holy Roman
Emperor in 1508

5. –
Jousting
• Jousting and other forms of
weapons training can be traced
back to the Middle Ages and the
rise of the use of the heavy
cavalry (armored warriors on
horseback)–the primary
battlefield weapons of the day.
• Jousting provided these knights
with practical, hands-on
preparation in horsemanship,
accuracy and combat
simulations that kept them in
fighting shape between battles.
• Later became a form of
entertainment.

8. Jacopo Robusti as
Tintoretto
• Italian 1518/19-1594
• Susanna and the Elders
• Oil on canvas
• Kunsthistorisches Museum
in Vienna

9. Tiziano Vecellio,
called Titian
• Italian, c. 1488-1576
• Isabella d’Este
• Oil on canvas
• Kunsthistorisches Museum
in Vienna

10. Fire by Giuseppe
Arcimboldo
Kunsthistorisches
Museum, Vienna
Maximilian II commissioned
portraitist and painter Giuseppe
Arcimboldo to create composite
heads representing the four
elements, including Fire (seen here).
The work is startling. Flames
compose the hair, a candle is part of
the throat, another is an eye and an
oil lamp is the chin.

14. –
The different Sections of
the exhibit
™ DAWN OF THE DYNASTY
The first section features objects commissioned or collected by the Habsburgs from the 13th
through the 16th centuries. In this late medieval to Renaissance period, Habsburg rulers staged
elaborate commemorative celebrations to demonstrate power and to establish their legitimacy to
rule, a tradition that flourished during the reigns of Maximilian I and his heirs. Works from this
era—including sabers and armor, tapestries, Roman cameos and large-scale paintings—illustrate
the significance of war and patronage in expanding Habsburg influence and prestige.
™ GOLDEN AGE
The second and largest section of the exhibition highlights the apex of Habsburg rule, the Baroque
Age of the 17th and 18th centuries. The dynasty used religion, works of art and court festivities to
propagate its self-image and claim to rule during this politically tumultuous time. Paintings by
Europe’s leading artists demonstrate the wealth and taste of the Habsburg rulers, while crucifixes
wrought in precious metals and gems, as well as sumptuous ecclesiastical vestments, reflect the
emperor’s role as defender of the Catholic faith.
™ TWILIGHT OF THE EMPIRE
The exhibition concludes with works from the early 19th century, when the fall of the Holy Roman
Empire gave rise to the hereditary Austrian Empire—a transition from the ancien régime to a
modern state in which merit determined distinction and advancement. Franz Joseph, who would
reign longer than any previous Habsburg, saw the growth of nationalism and ultimately ruled
over a dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary. As heir to the Habsburg legacy—and in the spirit of
public education and enrichment—he founded the Kunsthistorisches Museum in 1891. Reflecting
the modernization of the Habsburg administration, the exhibition ends with a spectacular display
of official court uniforms and dresses.

15. –
Description
™ Who are the artist’s?
– 90 works of art, including arms and armor, sculpture, Greek and Roman
antiquities, court costumes, carriages, decorative-art objects, and paintings by
masters such as Caravaggio, Correggio, Giorgione, Rubens, Tintoretto, Titian,
and Velázquez.
™ When and where was the work created?
– From the late Middle Ages to the early 20th century
– All pieces created in Europe
™ Elements of the work:
– Dark light-very dramatic and focuses viewers attention to subject matter
– Symbolism is used a lot religiously
™ Technical Qualities: Oil on canvas
™ The Subject matter:
– The exhibition is about the history of the Habsburgs and the amazing things
they collected, and the history of Europe. The battles, the church, the struggles
and the accomplishments of Habsburg Europe

16. –
™ How is the work constructed?
– Most of it was oil paint on canvas, tapestry, or physical
objects.
™ Identify some of the similarities
– They all had the same style and subject even though
they were created by different artists. They focused on
the Baroque style mostly.
™ They emphasized religious or political subjects or
topics
Analysis

17. –
™ The work seemed very elaborate and dark. The use of
dark colors seemed to set a somber mood, but the colors
were also rich which expressed wealth and power.
™ The work reminded me of my religion, there were a lot of
catholic pieces/objects on display throughout the exhibit
that are used within mass.
™ The pieces expressed a lot of the events that were going
on in Hapsburg Europe during the era. It expressed a lot
of the ongoing of the Protestant Reformation that was
taking place during that time period. The questioning of
the church and new ideas of expression (the battles
included as result).
Interpretation

18. –
™ The realistic imagery of the artwork really brought the
exhibit to life for me. It was neat to see how the family's
fortune rose and fell over the millennia and the how
various rulers focused on different mediums or styles. It
was the range of mediums, eras, styles and artists that
makes it so unique.
™ I would judge the exhibit on the style or subject
– Renaissance and Baroque styles
™ I did not think the work was original. Most of it was
realistic imagery; portraits, battle scenes- historic scenes,
and reenactments. There was not really any fantasy
involved or originality.
Evaluation

19. –
Museum of Fine Arts
Houston