Golden Column, Parliament, Vienna, Austria
Originally known as the Reichsratsgebäude (Imperial Council Building), the Neo-Classical Austrian Parliament Building is one of the crown jewels in Vienna’s Ringstrasse. In A.D. 1869, an Imperial Commission decided that Greece – birthplace of democracy – should serve as the inspiration and appointed Theophil von Hansen to create a temple
Danube & Inn, Pallas Athene Fountain, Parliament, Vienna, Austria
Like the fountain in Graz’s Hauptplatz, the figures at the bottom of the Pallas Athene fountain represent rivers. The Danube and the Inn are depicted in this photo; the Elbe and the Vltava are lounging at back of the fountain. The muscular ladies seated at the base personify the legislative
Continue readingDanube & Inn, Pallas Athene Fountain, Parliament, Vienna, Austria
Caryatids, Parliament, Vienna, Austria
The Austrian Parliament Building deliberately echoes Ancient Greek architecture. Caryatids – Greek maidens devoted to the goddess Artemis – can be found holding up the Porch of the Erechtheion in Athen’s Acropolis.
Burgtheater, Vienna, Austria 1
Vienna’s Burgtheater (“City Theater”) has experienced a peripatetic life. When it was first formed by Maria Theresa, in A.D. 1741, it was housed in the Imperial Palace. 10 years later, it moved to the Königliches Theater nächst der Burg (Royal Theatre near the Palace). This is where 3 of Mozart’s
Burgtheater, Vienna, Austria 2
In his 20th century memoir, The World of Yesterday, Stefan Zweig talks about his youthful obsession with this building: “For the Imperial theatre, the Burgtheater, was for the Viennese and for the Austrian more than a stage upon which actors enacted parts; it was the microcosm that mirrored the macrocosm,
Wächterin Sculpture, Burgtheater, Vienna, Austria 1
The Wächterin (“Guardian”) stands sentinel on the Ringstrasse, on the lawn in front of the Burgtheater. The vulture-like sculpture was created by the modern artist Ulrike Truger in A.D. 1988. Soon after she finished the work, a series of letter bombs hit Austria. People who spoke out for immigrants were
Continue readingWächterin Sculpture, Burgtheater, Vienna, Austria 1
Wächterin Sculpture, Burgtheater, Vienna, Austria 2
If you like the Wächterin, you can find Ulrike Truger’s work elsewhere in Vienna. Her abstract sculpture honoring Marcus Omofuma, a Nigerian asylum seeker who suffocated to death while protesting against his deportation, is on the Mariahilferstrasse. Her figure-based tribute to Empress Elisabeth, entitled “Elisabeth: coercion, escape, freedom,” is at
Continue readingWächterin Sculpture, Burgtheater, Vienna, Austria 2
