For over a century, the intricate early works of Austrian artist Gustav Klimt, adorning the lofty ceilings of Vienna’s Burgtheater, remained largely unseen by the public. Now, daily guided tours lead visitors high onto scaffolding amidst a crucial restoration effort, offering a rare chance to view these masterpieces up close.
The ten oil paintings, situated 18 metres above the theatre floor, are undergoing extensive conservation due to water damage. The meticulous process involves cleaning by hand with fine cotton swabs and condensed water. Robert Beutler, the theatre's commercial director, said: 'We were allowed to invest several hundred thousand euros to let Gustav Klimt shine in his original splendour again.'
Klimt painted these works between 1886 and 1888, collaborating with his brother Ernst and fellow artist Franz Matsch. This commission marked Klimt’s first major project at just 24 years old. Conservator Thomas Mahr revealed the artists' ambitious pitch: 'We are young, we are fast, and provide great work at low cost.'
The paintings depict scenes from theatre history, including one showing Queen Elizabeth I observing a staging of Romeo and Juliet. Klimt and his collaborators are depicted behind the queen, making this the artist's only known self-portrait. Visitors can spot intricate details invisible from the theatre floor, such as the cigarette in the hand of Klimt's chain-smoking brother.
Hundreds of art lovers are taking advantage of the unique opportunity daily. Susanne Höllinger, who toured with her husband Hannes, described it as 'a unique experience' to be so close to the freshly renovated paintings. The tours will continue until August, after which the scaffolding will be dismantled. General admission tickets are available for 25 euros.
