Vienna
Open now

Gustav Klimt and Medicine: Images of the Flow of Life Exhibition at the Josephinum

Delve into the intricate dialogue between art, science, and medical progress that shaped Klimt's work in Vienna around 1900.

The Josephinum presents a unique exhibition exploring Gustav Klimt's profound connection to medicine and science in early 20th-century Vienna. Featuring an AI-reconstructed 'Medicine' painting alongside original drawings and historical medical artifacts, visitors can trace Klimt's engagement with life's fundamental themes. This display reveals the interdisciplinary dialogue that influenced his artistic vision.

About Gustav Klimt and Medicine. Images of the Flow of Life at Josephinum in Vienna

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Gustav Klimt and Medicine. Images of the Flow of Life at Josephinum in Vienna

Exhibition summary

This exhibition at the Josephinum explores the complex relationship between Gustav Klimt, science, and medical progress in Vienna around 1900. It centers on Klimt's controversial faculty painting 'Medicine,' which was reconstructed using AI and is displayed alongside original drawings and medical history exhibits.

Curatorial context

The exhibition "Gustav Klimt and Medicine. Images of the Flow of Life" delves into the profound influence of Vienna's intellectual and scientific advancements on Gustav Klimt's work around 1900. Central to the display is Klimt's destroyed faculty painting 'Medicine,' now brought to life through an AI-supported reconstruction, offering a glimpse into its controversial and visionary composition. The exhibition features approximately 25 original Klimt drawings, rarely accessible to the public, illustrating his engagement with physicality, birth, life, and death. These are presented alongside significant medical history exhibits from the Josephinum's own collection, highlighting Klimt's deep understanding of the human body and his close ties with prominent physicians of the era. Curated by Tobias G. Natter, the exhibition aims to reveal the intricate dialogue between art, science, and medical progress that shaped Klimt's art and medicine's role as a cultural force in Vienna. The exhibition further examines Klimt's numerous life allegories, elucidating his profound engagement with the fundamental themes of life's cycle and his consistent creation of magnificent "images of the flow of life between becoming and passing away." The accompanying publication, featuring specialist articles from philosophy, art history, and medicine, provides further depth to these explorations. The exhibition offers a unique perspective on how the interdisciplinary dialogue of the time, marked by groundbreaking scientific discoveries and new medical methods, significantly shaped Klimt's artistic thinking and output, solidifying his status as an embodiment of Vienna's intellectual awakening.

Admission and ticket notes

Information regarding ticketing and admission details for this exhibition can be found via the provided discovery link, which directs visitors to the official Josephinum website for booking and entry requirements.

Gustav Klimt and Medicine. Images of the Flow of Life key exhibition facts

Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for Gustav Klimt and Medicine. Images of the Flow of Life at Josephinum in Vienna

Venue
Josephinum
Current status
Open now
Exhibition schedule
From Mar 26, 2026
Artist line / attribution
Gustav Klimt
More from Josephinum
Explore additional exhibitions from the same institution
Review other exhibitions from Josephinum in Vienna to compare themes, timelines, and program direction while planning your museum visit.
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
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
Vienna

Discover Current Exhibitions in Vienna: Your Essential Exhibition Search Guide

Explore Vienna's dynamic art and cultural displays today.

Find compelling art, history, and science exhibitions happening throughout Vienna. This specialized resource helps you locate unique cultural experiences and plan your visit to inspiring displays. Explore Vienna's rich cultural scene with ease.