Albertina Museum, Vienna: A Landmark Art Collection

The Albertina was originally erected on a section of Vienna's fortifications, initially built in the second half of the 17th century and refurbished in 1744 by Emanuel Teles Count Silva-Tarouca as his palace, then known as Palais Taroucca.

The building, previously known as Palais Taroucca, was taken over by Albert Casimir, Duke of Teschen, who used it as his residence and brought his graphics collection there from Brussels.

Following its acquisition by Albert Casimir, Duke of Teschen, the palace was extended by architect Louis Montoyer, causing it to border the Hofburg directly.

Duke Albert and Count Giacomo Durazzo began forming the collection, with Durazzo presenting nearly 1,000 artworks to Albert and Maria Christina in 1776, aiming for a collection that served higher purposes of education and morality.

In the 1820s, Archduke Charles initiated further modifications to the building, primarily affecting its interior decoration, carried out by architect Joseph Kornhäusel.

In early 1919, the new socialist government of Austria confiscated both the building and the art collection belonging to Archduke Friedrich, Duke of Teschen, without compensation.

In 1920, the Albertina's collection of prints and drawings was united with the collection of the former Imperial court library.

In 1921, following the union of its collections and the confiscation of property, the palace was renamed The Albertina.

During the Nazi era, artworks stolen from Jewish collectors entered the Albertina collection, and research continues to identify and restitute these items, though this has led to controversy.

In March 1945, the Albertina sustained heavy damage due to USAAF bomb attacks.

Following war damage, the Albertina was rebuilt in the years after World War II. It underwent a complete refurbishment and modernization from 1998 to 2003.

Modifications to the exterior entrance sequence, including a distinctive roof designed by Hans Hollein, were completed in 2008, marking the reopening of the graphics collection.

In 2018, the Albertina acquired the Essl Collection, comprising 1,323 contemporary artworks by artists such as Alex Katz, Cindy Sherman, and Georg Baselitz.

On May 27, 2020, "Albertina Modern" opened as a new museum dedicated to modern art, housing a collection of over 60,000 works by 5,000 artists.

The Albertina Klosterneuburg, a new branch displaying post-1945 works, opened its doors in April 2024.