For centuries the Habsburgs were enthusiastic collectors and dedicated patrons of the arts. In 1891, a newly constructed museum on Vienna's Ringstrasse was opened with great ceremony. Fittingly, this new museum, was conceived as a memorial to Habsburg patronage enabling the Imperial collections to be presented under one roof to the general public for the very first time.
In all, the museum is divided into eight different collections, some of which are housed in the Hofburg and in Schönbrunn Palace. Individual collections in the museum range from Ancient Egyptian to Greek and Roman antiquities to extensive collections of medieval art to the splendid Renaissance and Baroque Collections.
The 16th century art and treasure chambers (Kunst und Wunderkammer) of Archduke Ferdinand and Emperor Rudolph II form the nucleus of the Museums magnificent collections along with items from the baroque collections of Archduke Leopold Wilhelm. Thus the Imperial glory of the art-loving Habsburg dynasty conveying the taste and artistic preferences of these and other connoisseurs of the Imperial Family are still discernible to this day.
Gottfried Semper (1803-1879) and Karl von Hasenauer (1833-1894) the architects who designed the building with links to an epoch of special significance for the arts and sciences in the undeniable spirit of the Italian Renaissance.
Two of the most progressive programmes managed by the museum to encourage participation at off-peak special events involving Brunch and Dinner programs served in the rotunda area of The Museum of Fine Arts (KHM's) Cupola Hall. It is noteworthy, that the caterer of these functions, enjoys within its own industry a provenance not unlike any work of art on display in the building.
On the 24th of April 1847 - fully 44 years before the Fine Arts Museum and its twin companion opened in 1891 - Anton and Barbara Gerstner opened a small pastry shop in the heart of the city. Soon after, the nearby Imperial Court became one of the first regular clients and in 1873, Anton Gerstner was appointed Imperial Court Confectioner. Gerstner served official dinners, state receptions, and concert breaks in the Schoenbrunn Palace, and also managed and catered all events at the emperor's pavilion during the World Exhibition in the "Wiener Prater".
The connection between Gerstner and Art is closer now than ever before. In 1994, Gerstner launched the "Gerstner Art & Delight Buffet" followed by the "Gerstner Art Brunch" in 2003 These two events continue to be culinary highlights for tourists as well as Viennese citizens. Whether catering at the Emperor's pavilion during the World Exhibition, or on the occasion of the ratification of the Austrian treaty in the Belvedere Palace and the Schönbrunn Palace - Gerstner has always exceeded the highest culinary standards.
Since 2004, Gerstner has had exclusive responsibility for the catering of all technical, professional, and public fairs, banquets, and congresses in Vienna at the new "Messe- und Kongresszentrum Wien" (Vienna Exhibition and Congress Center). In 2006, Gerstner opened the modern La Cité café in Vienna's largest department store, Peek & Cloppenburg, where traditional sweet delights are presented in a contemporary context. Futhermore, Gerstner has two more exclusive event locations: "Art for Art Dekorationswerkstätten" (Decoration Workshops) and the Gerstner Beletage at the Palais Todesco.
The Gerstner Art &
Delight Evening Buffet
Every Thursday from 6.30 p.m. to 10 p.m. in
the Cupola Hall of the KHM
Enjoy an exquisite three-course buffet, classical background music and the splendid setting of the Fine Arts Museum's (KHM’s) Cupola Hall; why not leave your table between courses and wander through the museum’s galleries, which remain open until 9 p.m., to marvel at masterpieces in the world-renowned Picture Gallery, the Collection of Classical Antiquities and the Collection of Ancient Egyptian Art, or visit the current temporary exhibition. Price: € 39,- p.p. (excluding entrance ticket to the museum and drinks). Please book in advance.
The Gerstner Art
Brunch
Every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Gerstner Art Brunch in the Fine Arts Museum's (KHM’s) Cupola Hall offers you an art- and delightful Sunday afternoon with the whole family – including a welcome cocktail, a delicious brunch buffet, a selected gallery talk and a children’s tour in one of the collections/temporary exhibitions. Price: € 39,- p.p., including a welcome cocktail, buffet, gallery talk and children’s tour (entrance ticket to the museum and further drinks not included).
Family Special:
Children aged 0 - 6: free
Children aged 7 - 12: € 22,- for the buffet
Children’s tours are free.
Tours start at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Please book in advance.