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Explore Weltmacht Liebe: A Journey Through Centuries of Love at the Austrian National Library Exhibition

This compelling exhibition in Vienna examines love's profound influence on art, literature, and human emotions across diverse cultures.

The 'Weltmacht Liebe' exhibition at the Austrian National Library's State Hall invites visitors to delve into the multifaceted nature of love. Explore how this powerful emotion has shaped human thought and action, from self-love to spiritual devotion and romantic bonds. Drawing from the library's vast collections, it illustrates love's journey through history, inspiring artistic and literary works.

About Weltmacht Liebe. Eine Reise durch die Jahrhunderte at Austrian National Library in Vienna

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Weltmacht Liebe. Eine Reise durch die Jahrhunderte at Austrian National Library in Vienna

Exhibition summary

The exhibition 'Weltmacht Liebe. Eine Reise durch die Jahrhunderte' at the Austrian National Library's State Hall explores the pervasive emotion of love throughout history and across cultures. It examines love as self-love, spiritual devotion, and romantic or familial love, showcasing its profound impact on art and cultural history.

Curatorial context

The exhibition "Weltmacht Liebe. Eine Reise durch die Jahrhunderte" (World Power Love. A Journey Through the Centuries), held in the State Hall of the Austrian National Library, delves into the enduring and pervasive theme of love across human history and diverse cultures. Love, in its various forms—from self-love and spiritual devotion to God, to intimate romantic bonds and care for others—is presented as a central force that has shaped human thought, feeling, and action throughout time. The exhibition draws from the extensive collections of the Austrian National Library to present a panorama of love, illustrating its journey from unattainable ideals to forbidden passions, from infatuation to enduring love beyond death. It highlights love as a significant source of artistic inspiration, referencing its presence in ancient creation myths, medieval Minnesang, the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Franz Schubert, and the literature of Johann Wolfgang Goethe, Arthur Schnitzler, and Ingeborg Bachmann. Through centuries of love stories, letters, and songs, the exhibition reveals the continuity and adaptability of human emotions, demonstrating the myriad ways love has manifested, often beyond conventions and traditional gender roles.

Admission and ticket notes

The exhibition catalog is available for purchase at the Prunksaal ticket counter for EUR 34.90. Information on guided tours for the State Hall and the special exhibition is available via a provided ticketing link.

Weltmacht Liebe. Eine Reise durch die Jahrhunderte key exhibition facts

Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for Weltmacht Liebe. Eine Reise durch die Jahrhunderte at Austrian National Library in Vienna

Venue
Austrian National Library
Current status
Open now
Exhibition schedule
Mar 20, 2026 – Nov 1, 2026
Artist line / attribution
Information not currently available
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