What to expect on your visit to THE museum for modern and pop art in Vienna
Since 2022, Vienna has been home to the Heidi Horten Collection, a museum redefining the city’s art scene through a distinct, independent perspective. Located among the city’s historic art institutions, this private collection embodies the vision and passion of Heidi Goëss-Horten, who amassed more than 500 iconic works over her lifetime, including celebrated artists like Picasso, Basquiat, Warhol, and Chagall.
The collection offers a thoughtful dive into classical modernism, pop art and contemporary art while giving visitors an intimate museum experience. A place where artistic vision is stamped wherever you look, the Heidi Horten Art Collection is a site for highly curated experiences way beyond the works themselves. Here are 5 reasons not to miss this top destination on your next trip to Vienna.
1. Discover iconic artworks in the Klimt ⇄ Warhol permanent collection
The Klimt ⇄ Warhol exhibition is essential viewing for anyone interested in the giants of 20th and 21st-century art. This permanent exhibition traces the evolution of modern art through the lens of some of its most influential figures – from Gustav Klimt’s dreamy masterpieces to Andy Warhol’s vivid pop art. The collection offers a look at diverse artistic movements, including German expressionism, surrealism, and post-war abstraction, presenting work by great artists of their time like Francis Bacon and René Magritte.
Created with input from visitors through the innovative #ARTfluence project, the exhibition represents a blend of public interest and curatorial expertise, resulting in a collection that speaks to a broad audience.
2. Explore multi-sensory art in the Light Sound Senses exhibition
From now until March 23rd 2025, the Light Sound Senses exhibition brings art to life through a plethora of immersive sensory experiences. This display explores light as both a natural phenomenon and a cultural symbol, inviting visitors to interpret it in ways that go beyond the visual. Spanning two floors, the exhibition features pioneering light-based installations by artists like Tracey Emin, Olafur Eliasson, and John M. Armleder.
Installations in this exhibit are designed to engage light, sound, and space in ways that sharpen perception and interaction. In it, Tracey Emin and Joseph Kosuth use neon to convey message and material alike, while a sound installation by Austrian artist Bernhard Leitner invites visitors to “see” sound in an entirely new way. Works by Helga Griffiths and Ernesto Neto incorporate scent, adding a new sensory layer to the thought-provoking experience.
3. Discover Tranquility in the Tea Room
A visit to the Heidi Horten Collection isn’t complete without a pause in the beautiful Tea Room. This cozy room on the museum’s first floor blends relaxation with a subtle layer of artistic meaning. Both Austrian artist Hans Kupelweiser’s and Markus Schinwald`s “interventions” create a space that’s both sumptuous and imaginative, with design elements inspired by the grand reception halls of historic European estates. Kupelweiser’s velvety crimson ceiling is especially notable, evoking baroque frescoes with a modern twist.
In the Tea Room, visitors can reflect on the art they’ve seen while surrounded by pieces that express the collector’s love for combining historic and contemporary elements. With elegant furniture by Markus Schinwald and a cohesive interior design, the Tea Room captures the spirit of a private retreat, reminiscent of Vienna’s opulent palaces and salons, while remaining accessible and inviting to all guests.
4. Step inside an architectural transformation
The Heidi Horten Art Collection’s building, originally constructed as an Habsburgian office in 1914, was carefully reimagined in 2020 to meet the demands of a modern exhibition space while preserving its historical character. After undergoing a meticulous transformation, this renovation harmonizes period details with contemporary features, resulting in an interior layout that fully supports the collection’s dynamic displays.
The three-story central hall, flanked by open platforms and illuminated by a glazed ceiling, sets a tone of openness and continuity, with spacious galleries that guide visitors from one exhibit to the next. Architecture enthusiasts will appreciate the careful balance of historic preservation and modern adaptation in a museum that’s as visually compelling as the artwork it houses.
5. Trace Gustav Klimt’s legacy with the Heidi Horten Collection
The Heidi Horten Collection is a necessary stop for anyone tracing Gustav Klimt’s work while exploring Vienna’s art scene. As part of our Finding Klimt – Klimt’s Most Iconic Paintings in Vienna itinerary, this collection provides an engaging view of Vienna’s historic focus on local masters of the visual arts, connecting these to broader modern and contemporary movements.
So, get this multi-museum pass to discover the genius of the Viennese symbolist painter, tracing his dreamy yet frank style through to the Heidi Horten Art Collection.
Book your visit to the Heidi Horten Collection for a rich encounter with iconic works of pop, impressionist, classical modernist and contemporary art in exhibitions built to inspire. A place that pushes boundaries with its ground-breaking collection and elegant architecture, this museum has rapidly become a must see of Vienna’s art scene. Secure your tickets now and make this experience a curated part of your next trip to Vienna.
Combine your visit to Heidi Horten with Vienna’s hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus. Don’t miss a thing while you’re driven around major landmarks of the city!
Want to explore further? Check out Vienna’s artistic heritage with a museum pass that includes access to other major museums.
