ADMONT ART TREASURES NEWLY PRESENTED
To mark the 950th anniversary of Admont Abbey, the Museum of Art History has been relocated. It has been expanded both in terms of space and content, moving from the upper floor to the ground floor.
The initial establishment and design of an art historical collection in Admont Abbey took place in the mid-20th century, led by the at-that-time Abbey Archivist, Father Adalbert Krause. He founded an Art Historical Museum with the most valuable collections of the abbey on the second floor of the south wing of the monastery complex. This museum was officially opened in 1959. The contemporary press referred to it as a "treasury of Styrian art", which underwent a redesign and expansion in new premises about 20 years later, in 1980. Another 20 years later, starting in the fall of the year 2000, the entire south and east wing of the monastery underwent an extensive reconstruction and new construction phase. The purpose was to house the various museum areas within it, in a spacious and modern style. Until the year 2023, the Museum of Art History was located on the first floor.
To mark the 950th anniversary of Admont Abbey, the Museum of Art History has been relocated. It has been expanded both in terms of space and content, moving from the upper floor to the ground floor. And it has been expanded in terms of space and content. In conjunction with the sacred Gothic works in the permanent exhibition of the 'Mayer Collection' in the room in front of it, all art-historical holdings are now united on one floor. In a reciprocal dialogue, the high-calibre exhibits from these two art history departments are now shown to their best advantage from a variety of perspectives.
The reorganization of the Art Historical Museum was carried out based on chronological and thematic criteria. The first impression of the space is characterised by the high-quality exhibition architecture. The guidance system and colour concept provide clear orientation. A variety of information channels provide quick but also in-depth access to important works from the Gothic and Renaissance periods, from the Baroque and Rococo periods, and now also from the 19th and 20th centuries up to the present. The exhibits include paintings, sculptures, manuscripts and objects from the parament and art chamber. In addition to their references to Admont Abbey, the exhibition concept focuses on contextualising them in terms of their art-historical and spiritual dimensions.
Transitioning from the medieval realm of the "Mayer Collection", visitors first immerse themselves in the same historical period, encountering refined illuminated manuscripts, saintly sculptures, panel paintings, ecclesiastical treasures, and liturgical textiles. The portable altar from Bohemia dating back to 1375 holds particular significance. In Bernard van Orley's "Madonna with Child" (around 1520–40) and the Backgammon set (around 1550), the spirit of the Renaissance is already evident.
A focal point is formed by the Baroque era, represented by paintings depicting both sacred and secular themes by significant Austrian Baroque artists such as Martin Johann Schmidt ("Kremser Schmidt") and Johann von Lederwasch. New additions include, among other permanent loans from the "Karl Mayr Collection", Dutch paintings by Gerard Dou and Rachel Ruysch.
Dedicated sections are devoted to the Abbey sculptor Josef Stammel (1695–1765) and the extensive work of the Admont Benedictine Frater Benno Haan (1631–1720). The art embroiderer Benno Haan created a wealth of liturgical vestments for Admont Abbey - each piece of priceless value and highest quality. Among the Baroque treasures are monstrances, including a magnificent Baroque festival monstrance (1741), chalices, pectoral crosses of the abbots, and more.
In the newly established department, art from the 19th and 20th centuries is now presented, including paintings by Rudolf von Alt, Friedrich Gauermann, Carl Spitzweg, as well as liturgical objects from the Neo-Gothic period. Representatives of contemporary Austrian art at the end of the tour form a bridge to the "Museum of Contemporary Art" on the 2nd floor.
A number of works that are particularly representative of the history of Admont Abbey can be found one floor up in the anniversary exhibition.
