\paperw19995 \margr0\margl0 \plain \fs20 \f1 The Kunsthistorisches Museum building was commissioned by Emperor Franz Joseph, who selected the Ringstrasse as the ideal lo
cation for the construction of twin buildings, one to house scientific exhibits, the other historical and artistic collections. Their design was entrusted to the Viennese architect Karl von Hasenauer, and the plans were drawn up by his German colleague
Gottfried Semper. Work commenced in 1871 and was completed in 1891. \par
In the intentions of the Habsburgs and according to the project produced by the two architects, the buildings were to conserve all forms of knowledge and offer an all-embracing v
ision of human understanding. For this reason the faτade of the museum of art was decorated with sculptures that symbolize the various artistic disciplines and portraits of the greatest artists and philosophers of all time.\par
The Kunsthistorisches Mu
seum is structured around two courtyards, separated by a longitudinal central block: this constitutes the museumÆs main hall and houses the grand staircase leading to the upper floors. The lateral blocks contain the museumÆs many collections, which rang
e from the art of classical antiquity to Egyptian art and from sculpture to painting.
