Belvedere Museum

The International Day for Tolerance is an invitation to reflect on how cultural institutions can create spaces that welcome many perspectives. The initiative "Wir schwimmen alle im selben Pool" (we are all swimming in the same pool), by Kulturpool, the search portal for digitized cultural heritage from Austrian museums, archives, and libraries, draws attention to this idea.   At the Belvedere, inclusion is an ongoing part of our work. Through focus groups, collaborations with self advocates and accessible formats such as tactile models, Braille texts, easy language and sign language interpretation, we aim to make exhibitions and learning experiences more accessible. Our approach is shaped by dialogue and by the belief that culture becomes richer when different voices take part in shaping it. Theodor Josef Ethofer, Cafe Tomaselli in Salzburg, 1905, Belvedere, Wien #BelvedereMuseum #Kulturpool #ImSelbenPool #TagderToleranz

✨ Exhibition Opening: Franz Xaver Messerschmidt. More than Character Heads ✨   Yesterday we opened an exhibition that takes a new look at one of the most fascinating sculptors of the eighteenth century. Beyond the famous Character Heads, the show presents the full scope of Messerschmidt’s work, from portraits of scholars and writers to his engagement with the ideals of the Enlightenment. His sculptures reflect a moment of transition, when ideas of individuality, emotion and observation began to reshape how the human figure was seen in art.   📍 On view at the Lower Belvedere until April 6, 2026 Fotos: Ouriel Morgensztern / Belvedere, Wien   #BelvedereMuseum

From Sculpture to 3D: Digitising the Belvedere Collection   At the Belvedere, current digitisation projects explore how advanced imaging technologies can contribute to art historical research and conservation. Using photogrammetry, sculptures are documented through several hundred high resolution photographs that are processed into detailed 3D models. These digital replicas capture information about materiality, surface and form that cannot be conveyed through conventional photography.   The recent 3D documentation of Franz Xaver Messerschmidt’s Character Heads exemplifies this approach. Between 400 and 600 photographs were required to reconstruct a single sculpture, resulting in data that can be used for material analysis, comparative research and long term preservation.   The Character Heads will soon also be seen in a new context in the exhibition Franz Xaver Messerschmidt. More than Character Heads, opening on 31 October at the Lower Belvedere. #BelvedereMuseum

🎉 The Fantastic Palastics Game Party at the Upper Belvedere   Last week we celebrated the official launch of Mission Museum with the Fantastic Palastics Game Party at the Upper Belvedere. More than 100 children joined us for an afternoon full of creativity, discovery and play.   Developed in collaboration with The Brand Father, Orb Amsterdam, and powered by 8th Wall, the project merges art, technology and storytelling and expands how younger audiences can experience the museum.   Thank you to all partners and participants who joined us for this celebration and helped bring Mission Museum to life. Fotos: Ouriel Morgensztern / Belvedere, Wien  #BelvedereMuseum #MissionMuseum #TheFantasticPalastics

🎓 The Art Museum in the Digital Age – 2026 📅 January 19–23, 2026 | 💻 Online Conference Now in its eighth edition, our international conference explores how museums navigate questions of truth, disinformation, and knowledge in the age of AI and digital transformation. From algorithmic bias and deepfakes to new ethical frameworks such as the EU AI Act, the discussions will examine how museums can act responsibly in the digital sphere as spaces of transparency, participation, and critical reflection. With a keynote lecture by Dr. Oonagh Murphy (Goldsmiths, University of London), the program includes four thematic online sessions, a workshop, and a panel discussion featuring members of the Belvedere Research Center. All lectures will be held online. The keynote, panel discussion, and workshop for registered participants will also take place on-site at Belvedere 21, Vienna. Participation is free and open to all interested professionals. Conference Committee: Christian Huemer, Johanna Aufreiter, Sylvia Stegbauer (Belvedere Research Center), Oonagh Murphy, Chiara Zuanni, Ross Parry Thank you to our partners: Institute for Digital Culture (University of Leicester), DArtHist Austria, Museumsbund Österreich, ICOM Österreich, and Civa Media Art Festival #digitalmuseum #belvederemuseum

✨ Civa Festival 2025 at Belvedere 21 ✨ Last week, Belvedere 21 hosted the Civa Festival 2025, curated by Eva Fischer, exploring the intersections of art, science, and technology. Over three days, artists, researchers, and visitors came together to engage with the theme of quantum worlds through talks, performances, and installations.   The accompanying exhibition, |indeterminate⟩⟨apparatus|, continues this exploration and brings together works by Black Quantum Futurism, Alice Bucknell, Libby Heaney, Natalie Paneng, and Mike Rijnierse. The show approaches quantum concepts such as indeterminacy, entanglement, and transformation as metaphors for contemporary experience—both poetic and political.   🗓 On view at Belvedere 21 until 1 February 2026 Curated by Eva Fischer with Anna Ewa Dyrko, Ana Prendes (Arts at CERN), and iii – instrument inventors initiative Foto: eSeL.at/Belvedere21 - Lorenz Seidler Foto: eSeL.at/Belvedere21 - Joanna Pianka   #Belvedere21 #Civa2025

🎮 Throwback to the Truth, Lies & Democracy Game Jam at Belvedere 21 A week ago our museum turned into a creative lab. 63 participants from 6 countries worked for 48 hours on 14 prototypes addressing democracy, fake news and critical infrastructure. We are impressed by the creativity and dedication of everyone involved and proud that Belvedere 21 could host this exchange. Congratulations again to all teams and to the winners Progressive Pickle. Thank you to all participants, mentors and partners for bringing so much energy to the house 👉 The Innovation in Politics Institute, Stadt Wien, European Capital Of Democracy #ECoD Wolfgang Bergmann, Stefan Sindelar, Simon Schneider, Fatima Kirsch, Claudia Larcher, Eva Fischer, Stefan Gara, Michaela Hoess, Christian Huemer, Philipp Reichel-Neuwirth, Sergey Harutoonian and Markus Wiesenhofer.

🎮 Truth, Lies & Democracy Game Jam at Belvedere 21 Over the course of 48 hours, 63 participants from 6 countries transformed Belvedere 21 into a creative lab. Supported by museum mentors and inspired by the exhibitions, they worked intensively on game prototypes addressing three central challenges: democracy, fake news, and critical infrastructure. The result: 14 projects that showcased impressive creativity and innovative approaches. The winning team “Progressive Pickle” convinced the jury with an educational moderation game, while many other concepts highlighted the potential of games to raise awareness for social and political issues. We thank all participants, mentors and partners for their great commitment and the energy they brought to this weekend at Belvedere 21. The Innovation in Politics Institute, Stadt Wien, European Capital Of Democracy #ECoD Fotos: Michele Agostinis

✨ Viewfinder – a digital perspective on Gustav Klimt ✨ Hidden layers of Klimt’s paintings, revealed through scientific imaging, become the foundation of new, generative visual worlds. Developed by Berlin-based artist Marcel Schwittlick in collaboration with Ancora, the project was presented at the Belvedere earlier this month. 🎥 Take a look at the aftermovie – and explore more about Viewfinder here: https://lnkd.in/dpghyeJn

From 1–6 September, Vienna and Linz hosted the third edition of our Summer School “Collection Institutions in a Digital World: Strategies – Methods – Tools.” Through intensive workshops, international experts and participants explored the future of digitization, collection management, digital storytelling, Linked Open Data, and the use of AI in museums. Together, they developed strategies to strengthen digital competencies and address the challenges of cultural heritage in a digital age. We thank our partners — the University of Leicester, the Universität für Weiterbildung Krems, and Ars Electronica Linz — as well as the Bundesministerium für Wohnen, Kunst, Kultur, Medien und Sport (BMWKMS) for their support. 📸 Explore some impressions from the Belvedere Summer School 2025!