Private Themed Tour of the Belvedere with an Art Historian: "The Kiss" by Gustav Klimt: how it became the Symbol of the Viennese Art
Description
Ads all over Vienna lure viewers at every turn to the Belvedere to see 'the most famous kiss', on this tour you will understand what The Kiss is all about and decide for yourself whose arguments are more persuasive — art historians, marketers or viewers. You will not only understand Klimt's style, but also see reflections of the the century turn in the work of this extraordinary artist. We will trace Klimt's creative transformations from his early "Portrait of the Unknown Lady" to his unfinished "Bride", which was left in the studio when the artist was rushed by ambulance to hospital. Klimt was long known as 'the portraitist of beautiful ladies', and we will see why today's scholarship believes Klimt felt the desires of his models better than his contemporary Sigmund Freud understood the problems of his patients. On this tour, we'll take an in-depth look at Klimt's work, surrounded by his associates and competitors, and see why this particular artist is so important to Vienna. If you not only want to see "The Kiss" but also find diverse meanings in Klimt's works, this tour of the Klimt collection in the Belvedere is for you.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The National Gallery of Belvedere has the most impressive collection of Gustav Klimt’s canvases. Regardless of which aspect of his art you are interested in, in the Belvedere, you will find his portraits, landscapes, and the prominent works of his “Golden Period”.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Please come punctually to the meeting point at the main entrance of the Belvedere Palace. Your guide will be waiting for you on the left side of the main entrance of the Belvedere Palace (also called the Upper Belvedere). If you see a breathtaking view of Vienna, you found the meeting point. If you see the palace but not the city view, then please move to the entrance on the opposite side of the building. Just follow the "Museum entrance" sign. Use the contact details on your confirmation/voucher if you have any questions or difficulties finding the meeting point or your guide.
- No pick-up available
Reviews(21)
We had a Wonderful and knowledgeable guide Julia- loved the tour - very thoughtful - unique perspectives!
Dear Margaret, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was an absolute pleasure guiding you and Diana through the Belvedere and sharing the unique stories behind "The Kiss" I truly appreciated your thoughtful engagement! Wishing you both many more amazing travels, and I hope to welcome you back to Vienna someday!
Our tour guide was an art historian who made the tour so interesting, helping us (with two teens) to understand the language of art that was the baseline for why klimts work was so important. Fantastic knowledge, made it interesting and highly recommend Julia.
Dear Aimee, Thank you so much for your kind words! I am thrilled to hear that you and your family enjoyed our in-depth exploration of the 'language of art' at the Belvedere. It was a pleasure to share the historical context of Klimt’s work with you and your teenagers — they were a delight to have on the tour. I hope you find plenty of inspiration for the rest of your stay in Vienna! Best regards, Julia
We had a private tour with our group of four and it was amazing! Our tour guide was very friendly and super knowledgeable. We thoroughly enjoyed this tour!
Dear Lonnie, Thank you so much for your kind words! It was a pleasure guiding your group, and I truly enjoyed sharing insights about the paintings—not just The Kiss, but also the many beautiful landscapes by Klimt that you appreciated so much. I hope the experience left you with lasting memories, and I would be thrilled to welcome you back anytime!
Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and conveyed the information in an engaging manner. We were very satisfied with the tour and would highly recommend this tour and guide.
Dear Francine, Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm truly glad to hear that you enjoyed the Klimt-themed tour at the Belvedere. It was a pleasure sharing the fascinating story behind The Kiss and exploring the world of Viennese art with you. I'm especially happy to know that you found the tour both informative and engaging — that's exactly the experience I aim to offer. Your recommendation means a lot! Wishing you many more inspiring cultural adventures, and perhaps our paths will cross again in Vienna. Warm regards, Julia
I wish I could award more than 5 stars! Julia was just a fountain of knowledge! So glad to have the complete story of Klimt and his works. It really made seeing The Kiss that much sweeter!
Julia, thank you so much for this wonderful review! It's another sign of your generosity and appreciation, and it means a great deal to me. It was a pleasure to share my knowledge of the Austrian art context with such knowledgeable guests as yourselves. Thank you!
Julia was a great art historian, so many insights, well explained and patiently answered all questions.
Dear Prianka, Thank you so much for your lovely review! I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and our conversations — your curiosity made it all the more special. I wish you many more wonderful art adventures, and I hope to welcome you to Vienna again soon.
We are so impressed by our guide's depth of knowledge and her systematic introduction to climate painting — THE KISS! Julia was thorough and dedicated. Wonderful experience and we absolutely recommend it!
Dear Anna! Thank you so much for your generous words and for taking the time to share your experience. I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found the exploration of Klimt's "The Kiss" insightful. It's always a pleasure to guide guests through the rich tapestry of Viennese art, and your appreciation means a great deal to me. Thank you!
My wife and I had an amazing experience at the Belvedere with our private tour guide Julia. She was so knowledgeable and passionate about conveying the why’s as well as the how’s of some of the great art at the Belvedere. Great discussion on the symbolic color choices dictated by tradition in the early religious painting which immediately inform the viewer, whether a current day art historian or a medieval peasant as to the status and motives of the subjects of the painting. As a neuroscientist I was impressed with the story behind the funny faces sculptures of Messerschmitt and can see how the changing times and increasing interest in psychiatry and psychoanalysis in the time of Freud, changed his reputation from a pariah to a visionary artist. Finally, the “Star”‘of the collection - the Klimpt paintings including the famous “The Kiss”. Julia described how the faces of his portraits are all beautiful (as dictated by his patrons), but pay attention to the hands and their gestures - those reveal the underlying emotion of the subject. Just a wonderful experience and highly recommended.
Dear Mr and Mrs M, I am deeply honoured by your detailed and appreciative review. learn that, despite the rather challenging atmosphere of the crowded Belvedere, you enjoyed my stories and were able to capture every detail and nuance. I am very grateful for your recommendation.
We did not expect this tour to go into the history of art in Austria from earlier periods, but our guide advised us to look at some pieces to trace the development of art, promising that it would make us appreciate Klimt's works more. And we really did learn to appreciate Klimt's creativity and talent more completely. Seeing how much Klimt was able to put into his art made us respect and admire his work so much more. The Kiss is a masterpiece like no other! We loved this tour and would highly recommend it!
Dear Joahn, Thank you so much for your wonderful review. It was a pleasure to show you these wonderful masterpieces and to answer all your questions smallest details!
The guide was very well informed and taught me a lot about art and its evolution. It has changed the way I appreciate art now.
Dear Mara, Thank you so much for your kind review. It was a great pleasure to do this tour with you, as your genuine interest in art made it easy for me to talk about all the intricate aspects of art. Thank you!
