RESOUNDING SUCCESS AT THE GARDEN PALACE
In the past few weeks, during the temporary exhibition HERCULES OF THE ARTS, to which admission was free, almost 50,000 visitors came to explore the traces of Prince Johann Adam Andreas von Liechtenstein (1657–1712), a passionate collector of art who was among the most important patrons of his time. Following two successful temporary exhibitions in March 2022 and 2023, this year’s show with its extended duration from 16 February to 1 April succeeded in more than doubling visitor numbers.
Forming the centre of this year’s temporary exhibition were not only selected masterpieces from the history of European art such as Rubens’s "Decius Mus cycle", acquired by Johann Adam Andreas, paintings by Anthony van Dyck and Marcantonio Franceschini, and bronze sculptures by the Florentine court artist Massimiliano Soldani-Benzi, but the Garden Palace itself. In addition to his magnificent town palace, Johann Adam Andreas erected an impressive monument in the stately palace and grounds in Rossau, outside the city walls. As the exhibition venue, the palace itself assumed a fundamental role in the temporary exhibition, enabling visitors to explore and experience the prince’s vision for themselves.
“The huge success of HERCULES OF THE ARTS is of course very encouraging”, says Stephan Koja, Director of the Princely Collections, drawing a positive conclusion. “The aim of the exhibition was to illustrate the relationship between the patron and collector Johann Adam Andreas, the superb architecture of the Garden Palace, and the urban environs of Vienna’s ninth municipal district, on which he left a considerable mark. In future we will continue to aspire to exploring cultural and historical themes with contemporary relevance, and in doing so we are able to draw on the preeminent quality and depth of this internationally important collection.”
The theme of the next temporary exhibition will be announced in autumn 2024.
An exhibition catalogue is available to purchase in German and English (Hirmer Publishers).
The catalogue can be purchased on the Hirmer Publishers website and bookstores as well as at the Hofkellerei shop (open Tuesday to Saturday 12 am–7 pm).
38,– EUR (D) / 39,10 EUR (A)
Catalogues in German accompanying the previous exhibitions of 2022 "THE CONSTANT PRINCE. Joseph Wenzel I von Liechtenstein and his Art" and 2023 "CAST FOR ETERNITY. The Bronzes of the Princes of Liechtenstein" can also be purchased (Brandstätter Verlag).