Vienna
Wien's intriguing world of art forgery

Museum of Art Fakes, Wien: An Overview of Forgery

Uncovering the captivating stories of imitation, authenticity, and deception in art history.

ArtHistoryLocal heritage

Explore the unique Museum of Art Fakes in Vienna, the world's only institution dedicated to the fascinating realm of counterfeit art. Delve into dramatic criminal histories, learn about notorious art forgers, and understand the crucial differences between originals, copies, and fakes through engaging narratives.

Discover the world's only art forgery museum, revealing captivating criminal stories and famous forgers while clarifying art authentication.

Museum of Art Fakes
About the Museum of Art Fakes

The Fälschermuseum Wien, located in Wien, stands as the world's only museum exclusively dedicated to art forgeries. This intimate private museum recounts spectacular criminal histories, showcasing authentic fake works by infamous forgers such as Han van Meegeren and Konrad Kujau. Visitors learn how to distinguish an original from a copy and a forgery, understanding that copies are not fakes. The Museum of Art Fakes offers compelling insights into artistic deception, criminal investigations, and authentication.

Red sign reading FÄLSCHERMUSEUM MUSEUM OF ART FAKES on a building exterior
Museum of Art Fakes opening hours in Vienna

Check today’s opening status, weekly schedule, and special date changes for Museum of Art Fakes. Use these opening hours to plan your arrival and avoid closed times in Vienna.

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
-
10:00-16:00
10:00-16:00
10:00-16:00
10:00-17:00
10:00-17:00
10:00-17:00
Museum of Art Fakes Admission

Admission to the Museum of Art Fakes includes options for adult, senior, and student visitors. Children up to 12 years old receive free entry, with special rates available for youth aged 13-18, disabled visitors, and specific association members. Group tickets are also offered, and all entry tickets come with a museum guide or audioguide. Personal guided tours are an additional option, though not available from June to August.

Adults
€9.00

Includes a museum guide book for the visit

Seniors
€7.50
Students and trainees
€7.50

Under 27 years old

Museum of Art Fakes Location in Vienna

The Museum of Art Fakes is situated at Löwengasse 28 in Vienna. This specialist museum, dedicated to exploring art forgeries and authentication, offers visitors a unique cultural experience. Its distinctive location directly opposite the famous Hundertwasserhaus provides an easily recognizable landmark for those navigating the city.

© OpenStreetMap contributors

Löwengasse 28

1030 Wien

Wien, AT

Visiting the Museum of Art Fakes

Planning your visit to the Museum of Art Fakes in Wien is straightforward. While no general visit duration is specified, personal guided tours are available by appointment and last 60 minutes. Reservations are recommended for all visitors, and advance registration is required for groups of 15 or more. Cash payment is preferred for entry.

Visiting the Museum of Art Fakes

Exploring the World of Art Forgery at the Museum of Art Fakes

The Museum of Art Fakes in Wien stands as the world's only dedicated institution exploring the intricate realm of art forgeries. Visitors delve into captivating criminal histories, encountering authentic fake works by notorious art forgers such as Han van Meegeren and Konrad Kujau. The museum educates on the subtle yet crucial distinctions between an original, a copy, and a forgery, clarifying authentication processes. Engaging narratives reveal how forgers crafted their deceptions and the subsequent investigations. Guests gain insights into intriguing scenarios, from "time bombs" hidden in forgeries to historical figures being deceived, offering a compelling perspective on art history even for non-traditional art enthusiasts.

Interior of a museum gallery with people walking and sitting, framed artworks on white walls, wooden benches, and a vaulted ceiling with string lights.

History of the Museum of Art Fakes

The Museum of Art Fakes, a privately run institution in Vienna's Landstraße district, was established in 2005 by Diana Grober and Christian Rastner. Its creation was inspired by an encounter with art forger Edgar Mrugalla, whose donated works formed the initial core of the collection. Over time, the museum expanded to showcase creations by numerous renowned art forgers, including figures like Han van Meegeren and Tom Keating, who explored the **complex world of imitation and deception**. Housing nearly 100 works, the museum maintains a strong educational mission, distinguishing between legitimate copies and various classifications of forgeries to enlighten visitors about the intricate art of authentication.

  • Founded in 2005 by Diana Grober and Christian Rastner

    2005Founding

    The Museum of Art Fakes, a privately run institution in Vienna's Landstraße district, was established in 2005 by Diana Grober and Christian Rastner. The founders were inspired to collect forgeries after an encounter with art forger Edgar Mrugalla.

  • Initial collection included donations from Edgar Mrugalla

    Collection

    The museum's collection began with works donated by the famous art forger Edgar Mrugalla, whose encounter with the founders inspired the creation of the museum. Mrugalla's works were the first to be collected by the institution.

  • Exhibits works by notable forgers

    Collection

    The museum's exhibits feature works by renowned art forgers such as Han van Meegeren, known for Vermeer forgeries, and Tom Keating, who claimed to have faked over 2,000 works. Other featured artists include Konrad Kujau, David Stein, Elmyr de Hory, Eric Hebborn, and Lothar Malskat.

  • Holds nearly 100 works

    Collection

    The Museum of Art Fakes houses a collection of approximately 100 works. These pieces represent the creations of various artists known for their forgeries and imitations.

  • Aims to educate visitors on art forgery

    Cultural significance

    The museum's founders emphasize its educational mission, aiming to teach visitors about the different classifications of forgeries and copies. It distinguishes between legitimate copies, identical forgeries, and standard forgeries created in an artist's style.

Museum of Art Fakes: Your Curiosities Unveiled

From who dared to found the Museum of Art Fakes to how this unique institution in Vienna is funded, our frequently asked questions cover it all. Discover everything from ticket prices and free entry details to the surprising inspiration behind its creation. We promise, all the answers are authentically true.

How is the Museum of Art Fakes funded?

The Museum of Art Fakes is privately operated and financed by its founders, Diane Grobe and Christian Rastner. It currently receives no permanent subsidies, funding, or support from the City of Vienna.

What inspired the creation of the Museum of Art Fakes?

The museum was inspired by an encounter with the renowned art forger Edgar Mrugalla, which ignited a passionate interest in spectacular art fraud cases and the desire to collect related stories and forgeries.

Who founded the Museum of Art Fakes?

The Museum of Art Fakes was founded on November 17, 2005, by Diane Grobe and Christian Rastner. They also privately operate and finance the museum.

How long should I plan for a visit to the Museum of Art Fakes?

You should allocate at least 25 to 45 minutes for your visit. However, many visitors often spend the entire day due to the captivating criminal stories about forgers and their forgeries detailed in the museum guide.

Tips for Visiting the Museum of Art Fakes

When planning your visit to the Museum of Art Fakes, be aware that groups of 15 or more are required to register in advance. For individual entry, cash payment is preferred. Visitors should note that only one toilet is available on site. Due to the museum's specialized subject matter, it is generally not recommended for children under 12 years, although children's books and toys are provided.

Visitor Suitability

The Museum of Art Fakes in Wien offers an engaging experience for couples, solo visitors, groups, and students interested in art history, true crime, and the intricacies of art forgery. While the museum's themes are designed to be compelling even for those who may not be traditional art lovers, it is generally not recommended for children under 12 years due to the subject matter. Visitors can expect an intimate private museum experience that delves into criminal histories and authentication stories, with advance registration required for groups of 15 or more.

Photos of the Museum of Art Fakes Exhibitions

Explore images of the Museum of Art Fakes in Vienna, revealing its inviting exterior and intimate galleries. The photos capture exhibition spaces with distinct brick or vaulted ceilings, featuring framed artworks that delve into the world of art forgery. Visitors can visually discover various forged pieces, from detailed etchings to classical oil paintings, providing a compelling preview of the museum's unique focus.

Red sign reading FÄLSCHERMUSEUM MUSEUM OF ART FAKES on a building exterior
Red sign reading 'FÄLSCHERMUSEUM MUSEUM OF ART FAKES' on a building exterior with trees and other buildings in the background
Interior of a museum gallery with people walking and sitting, framed artworks on white walls, wooden benches, and a vaulted ceiling with string lights.
black and white print of two figures at a table with a bottle and plate
People viewing paintings in a gallery with white walls and a brick ceiling
Interior of a museum gallery with arched brick ceiling, white walls with framed artworks, wooden benches, and visitors walking
Interior of a museum gallery with visitors viewing framed artworks on white walls under arched ceilings.
Person viewing framed artworks in a gallery with a wooden ceiling and display case
Interior lobby with arched wooden ceiling, red wall, framed art, and people in a museum
A classical painting of the Virgin Mary in a red and blue robe holding the Christ child with another child reaching toward them
Vienna

Find Museums in Vienna: Discover Cultural Sites by Interest and Theme

Uncover Vienna's rich artistic legacy, history, and scientific collections.

Explore the depth of Vienna's cultural offerings and discover institutions by what truly interests you. Whether it's historical landmarks, fine art, or specialized topics, easily locate your next memorable experience.

Explore Museum of Art Fakes with Vienna
Guides, visitor info, and museum details in Vienna
Find everything about Museum of Art Fakes 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.
Discover nearby museums similar to Museum of Art Fakes in Vienna and plan your next cultural stop with confidence.
These recommendations prioritize real proximity to Museum of Art Fakes and help you find high-fit alternatives faster across Vienna.
Use this curated list to compare museums near Museum of Art Fakes without opening multiple search pages. Each card gives you fast visual context and direct access to key details so you can decide quickly. If you are building a full day in Vienna, this section helps you chain nearby visits with less planning effort.