Albertina Wien: Longing & Landscapes

Artists on the Road at Albertina Vienna

From ancient ruins in Rome to rugged Alpine peaks – “Longing – Artists on the Road”, the new exhibition at Albertina Vienna, reveals how travelling shaped artists’ perspectives from the 18th century onwards. Drawings and watercolours bring the desire for distant horizons to life.

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The Grand Tour

Originally reserved for young aristocrats, the “Grand Tour” became a rite of passage for the bourgeoisie in the 18th century. Travellers headed to Paris, Florence, and Rome. Famous figures like Johann Wolfgang von Goethe recorded their impressions in sketches – four views from his Italian journey are on display.

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Mountains as Places of Desire

Until the 18th century, the Alps were seen as threatening and impassable. Later, they became symbols of sublime nature. Archduke Johann commissioned around 1,400 watercolours and drawings from his court artists, including Matthäus Loder and Thomas Ender, depicting Austria’s mountainous landscapes in luminous detail.

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Women with Brushes and Wanderlust

Travelling was often unaffordable for female artists, and art academies remained closed to them until the 20th century. Still, painters like Tina Blau and Olga Wisinger-Florian created powerful landscapes and claimed their place in a male-dominated art world.

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Expeditions into Distant Worlds

Exploration also inspired art: Josef Selleny accompanied the circumnavigation of the frigate Novara (1857–59), creating around 2,000 watercolours and sketches. Leander Russ captured scenes from Egypt, Bethlehem, India, and the Orient in vivid colour.

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Conclusion

“Longing – Artists on the Road” invites viewers to broaden their horizons. The exhibition shows how travelling shaped art – and how art became a journey into other worlds.

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🖼️ Exhibition: Longing – Artists on the Road
📍 Albertina, Propter Homines Hall, Vienna
📅 27 June – 24 August 2025
🕘 Daily 10am–6pm, Wed & Fri until 9pm
🌐 albertina.at