M u s e u m T o p i c s |
Vienna, The Great Imperial SeatThe Museum for Fine Arts in Vienna (Kunsthistoriesches Museum) houses the collection of Hapsburg dynasty, the longest reigning royal family in European history. In 1866, the Museum's design was selected by a competition and its construction began in 1871. The exterior of the building was completed ten years later and it took another decade to finish the interior. As befitting the capital of a great Empire, the most lavish materials were used in the construction and decoration of Vienna's great museum. By 1891, the Museum's exquisite structure housed the splendor of the Imperial Hapsburgs. The art objects were sheltered under ceilings of marvelous frescoes executed by the most acclaimed artists of the day. Of particular note are the ancient pillars made of red granite and the late-19th century ceiling paintings in the Egyptian gallery. Fortunately, despite the firestorms of World War II, the interior suffered virtually no damage. |
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Soon after the success of the two exhibitions of the Miho Museum Collection
in the U.S. in 1996, a request was made for the same exhibition to travel
to the Museum of Fine Arts in Vienna. Unfortunately, this was too close
in time to the Miho Museum's Grand Opening and the exhibition never took
place. However, because the negotiations for the Leiden show were quickly settled, it was possible to schedule an exhibition in Vienna. Fifty-six pieces (five Egyptian, forty-five West Asian, and six from Greece and Rome) will be on display in Vienna and Leiden. |
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In the 18th century, works of antiquity donated to Leiden University by an
Amsterdam collector,
first went on public display, It was one of the first museums to be opened
to the public. Later, the collection was exhibited at the National Museum
of Antiquities in Leiden (Rijksmuseum van Oudheden), established by King
Willem I of Holland in 1818. A university professor was named the first
director of the Museum. Besides founding the world's first chair in archaeology
at the university, the director also established the foundations of the
Museum's present collection by gathering antiquities, a process that took many
years, as his idea was that the museum collection should reach all ancient
civilizations. In 1821, the collection was moved to a building that included
one wing of the Museum's present structure. In 1977, a huge renovation project
was undertaken, which involved building a roof over the courtyard to house
an Egyptian temple. Twenty years later in 1997, a new large-scale
construction project was begun to increase exhibition space and improve
the structure. The refurbished Museum will open in late 1999 with a special
exhibition tentatively entitled "The Ancient Art from the Miho Museum."
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Worksheets:
Making the Museum an even more enjoyable place to visit!
These worksheets will help students from elementary to high school age and young
adults who tell themselves, "I can't understand art!" feel closer
to art. Through using these worksheets young people can solve quizzes by themselves
or enjoy finding the answer with friends and family while engaging in some lively
conversation.
Storytelling
A special chance to hear stories about the artworks.
This enjoyable program allows children to hear a variety of stories about the
works of art in the Museum. Through these tales, children are encouraged to
use their boundless imaginations. Some stories allow them to become an ancient
hero or heroine and slay frightening monsters. Others let them become adventurers
who travel to unknown lands to discover sparkling jewels. These stories may remain
treasures in their hearts for the rest of their lives. Ben and the rest of the
storytelling staff are looking forward to meeting your children and young friends.
Stories will be told or the second and fourth Sunday of each month at 2:00 p.m.
in the Lecture Hall between March 16 and June 10.
Gallery Guides
Last year the Museum began to offer gallery guides to its guests. The tapes include
music, conversations between an urbane couple, and explanations of the exhibitions
given in the actual voices of museum curators from around the world. Those with
an interest in architecture can listen to an interview with the acclaimed architect
I.M. Pei. We hope you enjoy this service.
Summer Vacation:
Children's Art Lectures |
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This year we are planning lectures on the traditional Japanese art of lacquer
ware. These events are designed to be enjoyable. They include a play
called "What is Lacquer Anyway?" and a hands-on experience with this fine craft.
Sunday, July 25 : For elementary school students (1st to 3rd grade) Sunday, August 1 : For elementary school students (4th to 6th grade) Sunday, August 8 : For junior high and high school students Sunday, August 15 : For junior high and high school students 
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Classes are offered twice each day at 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., They last for ninety
minutes. For more information, please contact the Director of Museum Education.
Applications will be sent by fax upon request.
Lecture Schedule
Sunday, April 11 at 14:00 New Exhibitions in the South Wing Hajime Inagaki, Curator, the Miho Museum Sunday, April 18 at 14:00 Recent Numismatic Discoveries in Bactria Prof. Osmund Bopearachchi, Charge of Research, French National Center for Scientific Research Director, French Archaeological Mission in Sri Lanka Wednesday, May 5 at 15:00 Beyond the Great Wall: The Exchange between China and the Eurasia Steppe Emma C. Bunker, Research Advisor The Denver Art Museum, U. S. A. Sunday June 6, at 14:00 The Islamic Art Collection of the Miho Museum Prof. Toh Sugimura , Ryukoku University, Kyoto August Lacquer Ware Techniques Gallery Talk
Every Saturday at 2:00 p.m., throughout the year.
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