“I never realized how fascinating and strangely beautiful Egon Schiele’s art is until I came to the Leopold Museum here in Vienna.”, Leopold Museum Wien
Okay, imagine: Thursday evening, you’re strolling through one of Vienna’s most beautiful museums, admission was free, you’re surrounded by works by Klimt, Schiele, Kokoschka, and the like – and all thanks to… a construction company? Yep, you read that right: PORR, one of the largest construction companies in Austria, now invites you to the Leopold Museum every first Thursday of the month starting at 6 p.m. Free admission, first come, first served. And it was just wow.
I was there last time – and let me tell you: it feels a bit like a secret date with Viennese Modernism.
The PORR Night thing
You walk in, there’s no crowd (okay, maybe a little at the entrance, because many people already know about the event), but once you’re inside, it quiets down. The exhibitions are open until 9 p.m., and there are even free guided tours starting at 6:30 p.m. Of course, I couldn’t resist just strolling through. With no time pressure, with music playing – just me and the art. And it was magical.
“ And PORR makes it possible… „
And yes, I know, „sponsored by a construction company“ doesn’t sound all that sexy at first – but somehow it fits. Art and architecture have always been closely linked in Vienna. And PORR makes it possible to enjoy culture outside of traditional opening hours. A huge plus!
Klimt, Schiele & the Gang
Of course, you can’t miss the greats at the Leopold Museum – and you wouldn’t want to. Because the collection is simply amazing. Here are a few of my personal highlights – and a bit of context in case some of the names remind you more of street names than artists (no shame!).
Gustav Klimt
He’s practically the Beyoncé of the Viennese art scene around 1900. Famous for his golden ornaments, sensual portraits of women, and a unique style that lies somewhere between Symbolism, Art Nouveau, and pure brilliance. While „The Kiss“ isn’t on display at the Leopold Museum (that’s at the Belvedere), there are several other works that exude that typical Klimt vibe. My favorite moment: standing in front of one of his nudes and realizing how modern his depiction of femininity actually is.
Egon Schiele
Less glitter, more goosebumps. Schiele was Klimt’s student—and the enfant terrible of the Viennese art scene. His paintings are raw, vulnerable, sometimes disturbing—but that’s precisely why they’re so fascinating. He painted himself, his lovers, bodies in impossible poses. Always somehow emotionally naked. I stood in front of one of his self-portraits for what felt like ten minutes and was simply silent. His energy jumps out at you.
Oskar Kokoschka
Kokoschka is a bit of the wild expressionist among the four. His paintings are vibrant, loud, almost dramatic. He was a writer, a painter, a fighter—and you can see that in his works. Lots of movement, lots of emotion. If Klimt was the elegance of Vienna and Schiele was rebellion, then Kokoschka is the storm. And I love it.
Max Oppenheimer (aka MOPP)
A bit underrated, but all the more fascinating for it. Oppenheimer was a friend of the greats, but with his own unique style. Colors, shapes, perspectives—everything a little different. His portraits are intense, almost psychedelic. To be honest, I hadn’t even noticed him that much—but the museum features him prominently, and I was captivated. Quite rightly so.
The museum itself?
A dream in white
If you’ve never seen the Leopold Museum from the inside, it’s clean, quiet, and well-thought-out. Plenty of light, large rooms, and clean lines. No frills, yet cozy nonetheless. You immediately feel at home—even if you’re not usually fond of museums. The atmosphere is especially lovely in the evenings. No school groups, no tourist hustle and bustle. You have space. Time. And maybe even a little bit of the feeling that the paintings are hanging there just for you.
The museum itself?
Do it. Really. Grab a friend, your partner, or go alone—it doesn’t matter. But go. You’ll get top-quality art, free, in one of the coolest locations in the city. And all after hours. What more could you want?
I’ll definitely be there next First Thursday. Maybe we’ll see each other? I’ll probably be standing dreamily in front of a Schiele again—or trying to hold back in the museum shop. (Spoiler alert: it only works thanks to my husband.)
Quick Facts about PORR Night:
• 📍 Leopold Museum, MuseumsQuartier Vienna
• 🕕 Every first Thursday of the month, from 6 p.m.
• 💸 Free admission (first come, first served)
• 🎧 Free guided tours at 6:30 p.m. & 7 p.m.
• 💡 Tip: Get there a little early – word is getting around!
If you’ve never been to the Leopold Museum or just need a breath of fresh air in art, trust me, this is your sign. ✨
_____________________
RELATED POSTS
_____________________
FIND ME ON INSTAGRAM
