This exhibition explores the historical and contemporary fascination with idealized beauty, tracing the evolution of beauty collections from aristocratic private museums to modern-day 'selfies' and influencer culture. It examines how the pursuit of perfection and idealized, often eroticized, beauty has been a persistent human endeavor across genders and eras.
The exhibition 'Longing for Perfection - Viennese Beauties' examines the enduring human preoccupation with idealized beauty and its presentation. Drawing parallels between historical beauty collections, which often featured idealized female portraits and were found in aristocratic private museums since the 16th century, and contemporary phenomena like 'selfies' and the ideals set by influencers, advertising stars, and sex symbols, the exhibition highlights a persistent cultural thread. The text suggests that the absence of a distinct personality was once considered a mark of virtue in these collections, contrasting with today's focus on transformation and perfection. It notes that idealized and erotically charged beauty is no longer exclusively a female concern, reflecting broader societal shifts. The page showcases various objects and portraits associated with this theme, including figures like Emilie Turecek, Gustav Klimt and Emilie Flöge, opera singer Adelina Patti, and musician Falco, illustrating the diverse manifestations of idealized beauty across different periods and walks of life in Vienna.