History Tales. Fact and Fiction in History Painting

Michael Wutky, Eruption of Vesuvius, seen across the Golf of Naples, ca. 1780, Academy of Fine Arts Vienna (image © and courtesy Paintings Gallery of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna)

History Tales explores the representation of history in terms of identity and nation. How is the rise and fall of civilsations depicted? How is the hubris of humanking allegorised? And what sort of media transformations has the invention of photography and film brought about on the representation of myths, heroes, heroines, rulers and sovereigns, as well as on pivotal historical events?

The exhibition examines history painting in the light of the Academy’s own historical collections - paintings, prints, drawings and plaster casts - and loans from museums and contemporary artists. The exhibition is designed as an itinerary through the centuries and includes pre-20th century works by artists such as Hieronymus Bosch, Jaques Callot, and Artemisia Gentileschi.