I had long neglected the Albertina, and as I began to feel the pressure of “last days” I made it a priority to go there after church on Jan. 12, the last day of an exhibit of the Fauves which I wanted to see. This museum is a gem, with particularly good examples of Renaissance, Baroque, and 20th century art (the Batliner collection. (You can see an overview of the collections at http://sammlungenonline.albertina.at/default.aspx?lng=english2.) I’m so glad I didn’t miss it! Much of the museum includes 18th century royal apartments, in which some of the earliest artworks are beautifully displayed – including my favorite, Albrecht Dürer’s “Young Hare” (which is copyrighted by the museum, so see the link.) This photo shows the modern wing-like roof by Hans Hollein that was added in 2003, as part of the continual renovations after much destruction to the building in WWII. The “Bastion Terrace” of the museum is situated high above the street, on one of the last remaining sections of the city ramparts (the Augustinerbastei). This photo shows the terrace and surrounding buildings under a rising moon, with the equestrian statue of Archduke Albrecht, who lived in the property from the mid-19th century, and got his statue from Franz Josef for defeating the Italians during a nationalist uprising in the 1860’s. (http://www.albertina.at/en/the_palace/palace_residents).>
