In December and January, a group of Democrats Abroad Austria members enjoyed two incredibly memorable tours – first of the Weltmuseum Wien and then of the Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien (KHM).
At the Weltmuseum, the outgoing director and fellow American, Dr. Jonathan Fine, treated us to a fascinating and erudite tour and discussion of parts of the Weltmuseum’s contemporary anthropological collections, explaining and illuminating the complex issues European museums face when considering how to tell the stories and display the art of other cultures. He also showed us some of the museum’s most important treasures, including the stunningly beautiful Quetzal feather headdress and the important collection of Benin bronzes During the tour, he generously answered our many questions and engaged in an in-depth discussion of the art’s providence, preservation, restoration, and in some cases, return to their countries of origin. We also were privileged to get a behind-the-scenes look at the museum’s textile restoration room, where expert scientists and restorationists repair and reinforce the museum’s collection of important textiles. Afterwards, we enjoyed a fantastic dinner and further stimulating discussions on the politics of anthropological art.
On January 1st, 2025, Dr. Fine moved to the KHM to take up a new, key role of KHM General Director. At KHM, he organized a personal tour of the special exhibition “Rembrandt – Hoogstraten: Colour and Illusion” for Democrats Abroad. We were treated to a fascinating look at Rembrandt’s and his student, Hoogstraten’s, different styles – from trompe l'oeil and fine, detailed, lifelike portraits (“the photographs of their day”) meant to ‘fool the eye’ to his extraordinary use of paint to create light and shadow through to Hoogstraten’s historical paintings and later, Rembrandt’s shift to a proto-impressionist style of visible brush strokes and rich colors meant to convey the emotion and specificity of each person through their portrait. And while recognized as a great painter in his day, after his death, we learned that Rembrandt fell into obscurity only to be rediscovered in the 19th century as perhaps the finest, most important painter of the Dutch Golden Age, highly influential on the French impressionists and considered one of the finest painters in the Western canon even to this day. The evening concluded with an elegant dinner under the exquisite cupola of the KHM restaurant.
– Jacqueline Berman, DA Austria Secretary