Vienna
Vienna · Medical History Focus

Josephinum Exhibitions: What to Expect in Vienna

Plan your visit to Vienna's medical history museum and learn about its special displays.

The Josephinum, a distinguished medical history museum in Vienna, regularly features special exhibitions that complement its permanent collection. These displays delve into diverse themes, often highlighting specific aspects of anatomical wax models, surgical instruments, or broader Enlightenment science. Understanding the exhibition program can help you plan your visit effectively. Always check the official Josephinum website for the most current exhibition schedule and details.

Josephinum
7 exhibitions on now
Featured exhibitions at Josephinum
Highlights and recommended shows in Vienna
Explore featured exhibitions at Josephinum, including priority recommendations and high-interest shows to add to your visit plan in Vienna.
A watercolor illustration of a person researching historical medical documents in a museum gallery, with musical notes suggesting Beethoven's era, related to the exhibition 'The Seligmann Fragments and Beethoven's Doctors: A Search for Traces'.
Permanent exhibition

Josephinum Presents: The Seligmann Fragments and Beethoven's Doctors Exhibition

An ongoing journey into historical medicine and cultural archives.

Discover a unique exploration of medical history at the Josephinum. This exhibition uncovers the Seligmann fragments and examines the medical professionals connected to Ludwig van Beethoven, offering rich historical insights.

Seligmann Fragments
Watercolor illustration of a museum exhibit featuring anatomical wax models in glass cases, medical instruments, and historical documents, representing the Josephinum's permanent exhibition on medical history.
Permanent exhibition

Josephinum Permanent Exhibition: Uncovering Centuries of Medical History and Wax Models

Explore Vienna's significant contributions to medical science and bioethics.

Witness the evolution of medicine through unique artifacts, from anatomical wax models commissioned by Emperor Joseph II to groundbreaking surgical instruments. Understand key developments and modern ethical questions explored within the Josephinum's extensive permanent collection.

Permanent Exhibition
A watercolor-style artwork depicting a female figure in purple and gold, holding a chalice with a snake, surrounded by symbolic imagery of life, birth, and death, inspired by Gustav Klimt's 'Medicine' painting.
From Mar 26, 2026

Gustav Klimt and Medicine Exhibition: Exploring Art and Science at the Josephinum

Uncover Klimt's controversial painting 'Medicine' and rare drawings from Vienna 1900.

This exhibition at Josephinum examines Gustav Klimt's ties to medical progress in Vienna. See the AI-reconstructed 'Medicine' painting, original Klimt drawings, and historical medical exhibits. Explore the profound influence of science on his artistic vision.

Klimt Medicine Exhibition
Watercolor illustration of a historical artificial heart pump on display in a museum, showcasing mechanical components and tubing, representing pioneering medical research in Vienna.
From May 5, 2017

Artificial Hearts: The Bridge to Survival Exhibition at Josephinum Vienna

Pioneering Viennese research in medical history and surgical advancements.

Explore the Josephinum's exhibition detailing Vienna's groundbreaking work in artificial heart technology. Learn about the 'bridge to survival' and its impact on modern cardiac support, blending science with art.

Artificial Hearts Exhibition
A purple watercolor illustration of visitors in lab coats examining historical medical exhibits, including documents, a microscope, and a syringe, in a museum setting.
From Mar 14, 2018

Viennese Medical Faculty 1938-1945: National Socialism in Medicine

A historical exhibition at Josephinum exploring the dark chapters of Austrian medical history.

Investigate the impacts of National Socialism on the Viennese Medical Faculty during 1938-1945. This exhibition highlights the history of antisemitism, the expulsion of staff, and the unethical medical practices under Nazi doctrine. Gain insights into a critical period of medical ethics.

Viennese Medical Faculty
Watercolor illustration of a worker uncovering a historical portrait on a wall during the renovation of the Josephinum, a historic building established in 1785.
From Sep 29, 2022

Reiner Riedler's Josephinum Renovation Photography Exhibition: A Visual Documentation

Explore the architectural transformation of a historic 18th-century institution.

Discover Reiner Riedler's captivating photographs detailing the Josephinum's extensive renovation project. See how the 1785 building's historic spaces, including its grand lecture hall, were meticulously restored. This exhibition provides a unique perspective on architectural preservation.

Reiner Riedler Exhibition
Watercolor illustration of a museum exhibition on the anatomy of the ear, featuring display cases with ear models, informational panels, and visitors observing the exhibits.
From Jan 26, 2024

The Seligmann Fragments and Beethoven's Physicians: A Vienna Exhibition on Hearing History

Exploring Viennese otology, medical collections, and art contributions.

This exhibition examines the history of the human hearing organ and otology in Vienna. It showcases objects from the Josephinum's collections, illustrating key developments in diagnostic procedures and treatments. Artistic contributions further enrich the exploration of this medical field.

Exhibition Details
A watercolor illustration of an ophthalmophantom and bullet-finder medical instruments displayed with photograms in a museum exhibit.
Dec 2, 2013 – Oct 4, 2014

Ophthalmophantom and Bullet-Finder: Tillman Kaiser Exhibition at Josephinum

Tillman Kaiser's artistic intervention explores medical history through photograms.

This exhibition at Josephinum features unique photograms created by artist Tillman Kaiser. His work reinterprets the museum's significant collection of historical medical instruments, offering a fresh perspective on the evolution of healthcare technology.

View Exhibition
Current and ongoing exhibitions
What you can see right now at Josephinum
Browse ongoing exhibitions currently available at Josephinum, including active installations and permanent displays open to visitors in Vienna.
A watercolor illustration of a person researching historical medical documents in a museum gallery, with musical notes suggesting Beethoven's era, related to the exhibition 'The Seligmann Fragments and Beethoven's Doctors: A Search for Traces'.
Permanent exhibition

Josephinum Presents: The Seligmann Fragments and Beethoven's Doctors Exhibition

An ongoing journey into historical medicine and cultural archives.

Discover a unique exploration of medical history at the Josephinum. This exhibition uncovers the Seligmann fragments and examines the medical professionals connected to Ludwig van Beethoven, offering rich historical insights.

Seligmann Fragments
Watercolor illustration of a museum exhibit featuring anatomical wax models in glass cases, medical instruments, and historical documents, representing the Josephinum's permanent exhibition on medical history.
Permanent exhibition

Josephinum Permanent Exhibition: Uncovering Centuries of Medical History and Wax Models

Explore Vienna's significant contributions to medical science and bioethics.

Witness the evolution of medicine through unique artifacts, from anatomical wax models commissioned by Emperor Joseph II to groundbreaking surgical instruments. Understand key developments and modern ethical questions explored within the Josephinum's extensive permanent collection.

Permanent Exhibition
A watercolor-style artwork depicting a female figure in purple and gold, holding a chalice with a snake, surrounded by symbolic imagery of life, birth, and death, inspired by Gustav Klimt's 'Medicine' painting.
From Mar 26, 2026

Gustav Klimt and Medicine Exhibition: Exploring Art and Science at the Josephinum

Uncover Klimt's controversial painting 'Medicine' and rare drawings from Vienna 1900.

This exhibition at Josephinum examines Gustav Klimt's ties to medical progress in Vienna. See the AI-reconstructed 'Medicine' painting, original Klimt drawings, and historical medical exhibits. Explore the profound influence of science on his artistic vision.

Klimt Medicine Exhibition
Watercolor illustration of a historical artificial heart pump on display in a museum, showcasing mechanical components and tubing, representing pioneering medical research in Vienna.
From May 5, 2017

Artificial Hearts: The Bridge to Survival Exhibition at Josephinum Vienna

Pioneering Viennese research in medical history and surgical advancements.

Explore the Josephinum's exhibition detailing Vienna's groundbreaking work in artificial heart technology. Learn about the 'bridge to survival' and its impact on modern cardiac support, blending science with art.

Artificial Hearts Exhibition
A purple watercolor illustration of visitors in lab coats examining historical medical exhibits, including documents, a microscope, and a syringe, in a museum setting.
From Mar 14, 2018

Viennese Medical Faculty 1938-1945: National Socialism in Medicine

A historical exhibition at Josephinum exploring the dark chapters of Austrian medical history.

Investigate the impacts of National Socialism on the Viennese Medical Faculty during 1938-1945. This exhibition highlights the history of antisemitism, the expulsion of staff, and the unethical medical practices under Nazi doctrine. Gain insights into a critical period of medical ethics.

Viennese Medical Faculty
Watercolor illustration of a worker uncovering a historical portrait on a wall during the renovation of the Josephinum, a historic building established in 1785.
From Sep 29, 2022

Reiner Riedler's Josephinum Renovation Photography Exhibition: A Visual Documentation

Explore the architectural transformation of a historic 18th-century institution.

Discover Reiner Riedler's captivating photographs detailing the Josephinum's extensive renovation project. See how the 1785 building's historic spaces, including its grand lecture hall, were meticulously restored. This exhibition provides a unique perspective on architectural preservation.

Reiner Riedler Exhibition
Watercolor illustration of a museum exhibition on the anatomy of the ear, featuring display cases with ear models, informational panels, and visitors observing the exhibits.
From Jan 26, 2024

The Seligmann Fragments and Beethoven's Physicians: A Vienna Exhibition on Hearing History

Exploring Viennese otology, medical collections, and art contributions.

This exhibition examines the history of the human hearing organ and otology in Vienna. It showcases objects from the Josephinum's collections, illustrating key developments in diagnostic procedures and treatments. Artistic contributions further enrich the exploration of this medical field.

Exhibition Details
Past exhibitions archive
Recently completed shows at Josephinum
Review past exhibitions from Josephinum to understand previous themes, curatorial direction, and the museum’s recent program history in Vienna.
Watercolor illustration of a museum exhibition on the intersection of medicine and architecture, featuring medical instruments, architectural blueprints, and a microscope in display cases.
Oct 22, 2025 – Feb 28, 2025

"Architecture and Medicine": An Exhibition on Vienna's Hospital Design and Medical History

Explore the evolution of medical architecture through centuries of Viennese innovation.

This exhibition at the Josephinum traces Vienna's medical district development. Discover how scientific progress transformed hospital architecture, from Joseph II's neoclassical vision to modern functional designs. See historical and contemporary photographs.

Exhibition Details
Abstract watercolor artwork by Monika Kus-Picco, featuring vibrant purple, red, yellow, and green hues, created from expired pharmaceutical materials to explore color theory and biochemical processes.
Jun 17, 2025 – Oct 4, 2025

Monika Kus-Picco: The Art of Medication Exhibition at Josephinum

Contemporary art crafted from expired pharmaceuticals and medical materials.

Discover Monika Kus-Picco's compelling artworks made from expired pharmaceuticals. This unique exhibition challenges color theories and visualizes unseen biochemical processes, exploring links between societal systems, gender, and medicine.

The Art of Medication
A watercolor illustration depicting the anatomy of skin and historical medicine, featuring medical instruments, anatomical diagrams, and wax moulages of skin conditions, related to Ferdinand Hebra's atlas of skin diseases.
Mar 19, 2025 – Oct 4, 2025

Discover Ferdinand Hebra's Atlas of Skin Diseases at Josephinum, exploring medical history.

Tracing the origins of modern dermatology through Hebra's pioneering work.

This exhibition at Josephinum explores Ferdinand Hebra's pivotal role in recognizing the skin as an independent organ. Witness his meticulous documentation of skin diseases through rare patient portraits and historical wax moulages. Understand how his 19th-century research shaped scientific dermatology.

View Exhibition Details
Watercolor illustration of a vintage photography studio with a large format camera on a tripod, a wooden chair, purple drapery backdrop, and studio lighting equipment.
Jun 1, 2023 – Nov 11, 2023

Max Schneider's Physician Portraits: Exploring Vienna Medical Faculty History at Josephinum

A photographic journey into Vienna's medical past, 1923–1938.

Discover photographer Max Schneider's powerful portraits of the Vienna Medical Faculty's prominent figures. This exhibition at the Josephinum unveils a vibrant kaleidoscope of personalities from a pivotal era in medical history. Learn about Schneider's artistry and its historical significance.

Exhibition Details
Watercolor illustration of a museum gallery featuring contemporary anatomical sculptures by Alexandre Diop alongside historical anatomical wax models, highlighting a dialogue between past and present art.
Jan 1, 2023 – Jan 6, 2024

Anatomy - Alexandre Diop Exhibition: Contemporary Art Meets Historical Wax Models at Josephinum

A unique exploration of anatomy, art, and medical history in Vienna.

Witness Alexandre Diop's 'object images' engage with the Josephinum's remarkable 18th-century anatomical wax models. This special exhibition blends painting and sculpture, inviting visitors to ponder art-historical references and human anatomy.

Anatomy Exhibition
Artistic watercolor illustration of medical life-saving machines, including monitors with heartbeats, in a sculptural purple composition, evoking themes of human ingenuity and prolonging life.
Oct 28, 2016 – Apr 14, 2017

WILL - The Lifesaving Machines: Photography Exhibition at Josephinum

Reiner Riedler's vision of modern medical technology and human endeavor.

Explore Reiner Riedler's photographic insights into modern medicine, featuring isolated images of life-saving machines. This exhibition at the Josephinum examines the aesthetic and humanistic dimensions of medical apparatuses, celebrating centuries of intellectual curiosity.

WILL Exhibition
Watercolor illustration of a museum exhibit featuring anatomical models, medical instruments, and modern imaging equipment, representing the exhibition 'Under the Skin' at the Josephinum.
Dec 19, 2014 – Oct 3, 2015

Under the Skin: Modern Medicine Pioneers Rokitansky, Skoda, Zuckerkandl Exhibition

Discover revolutionary scientific approaches in pathology, anatomy, and internal medicine.

This exhibition delves into the groundbreaking work of Carl von Rokitansky, Josef Skoda, and Emil Zuckerkandl. It highlights their revolutionary scientific approach to pathology, internal medicine, and anatomy, connecting historical insights with contemporary medical perspectives and artistic interventions.

Under the Skin Exhibition
A watercolor illustration of an ophthalmophantom and bullet-finder medical instruments displayed with photograms in a museum exhibit.
Dec 2, 2013 – Oct 4, 2014

Ophthalmophantom and Bullet-Finder: Tillman Kaiser Exhibition at Josephinum

Tillman Kaiser's artistic intervention explores medical history through photograms.

This exhibition at Josephinum features unique photograms created by artist Tillman Kaiser. His work reinterprets the museum's significant collection of historical medical instruments, offering a fresh perspective on the evolution of healthcare technology.

View Exhibition
About Josephinum in Vienna

Josephinum Overview

Vienna's Medical History

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This overview of the Josephinum provides essential context for your visit to Vienna's medical history museum. Gain insight into its significant collections and plan your exploration of this unique cultural institution. Consider exploring other historical or scientific venues across Vienna for a comprehensive cultural experience.

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Guides, visitor info, and museum details in Vienna
Find everything about Josephinum in one place, including tickets, opening hours, current exhibitions, location details, visitor tips, nearby attractions, and the latest museum updates. Use these pages to plan your visit, discover what to see, and get practical information before you go.
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