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.

� 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.

� � 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

� 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

� 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.

Jacopo Robusti as Tintoretto

•  Italian 1518/19-1594 •  Susanna and the Elders •  Oil on canvas •  Kunsthistorisches Museum

in Vienna

Tiziano Vecellio, called Titian

•  Italian, c. 1488-1576 •  Isabella d’Este •  Oil on canvas •  Kunsthistorisches Museum

in Vienna

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. 

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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.

� 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

� � 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.

� Identify some of the points of emphasis in the work

Analysis

� � 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

� � 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

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Museum of Fine Arts Houston