12 must-see masterpieces at the Kunsthistorisches Museum
Quick answer
The KHM's must-see works are Bruegel's Hunters in the Snow and Tower of Babel, Vermeer's The Art of Painting, Raphael's Madonna of the Meadow, Caravaggio's Madonna of the Rosary, Velázquez's Infanta portraits, Arcimboldo's Seasons and Cellini's Saliera. Allow at least 2 hours for the picture gallery.
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The 12 key works
- 1
Picture Gallery
Hunters in the Snow — Pieter Bruegel the Elder (1565)
An icon of winter in Flemish painting, with hunters, dogs and skaters under a greenish sky.
- 2
Picture Gallery
The Tower of Babel — Pieter Bruegel the Elder (1563)
A gigantic tower under construction, a symbol of human ambition.
- 3
Picture Gallery
The Peasant Wedding — Pieter Bruegel the Elder (c. 1567)
A scene of rural life with an ironic eye on feasting and food.
- 4
Picture Gallery
Children's Games — Pieter Bruegel the Elder (1560)
Over 200 children playing in a square, a catalogue of 16th-century games.
- 5
Picture Gallery
The Art of Painting — Johannes Vermeer (c. 1666)
The painter seen from behind, with a model representing Clio. One of Vermeer's most enigmatic works.
- 6
Picture Gallery
Madonna of the Meadow — Raphael (1505–06)
A perfect triangular composition in a serene landscape.
- 7
Picture Gallery
Madonna of the Rosary — Caravaggio (c. 1607)
A dramatic altarpiece with theatrical light and ordinary people.
- 8
Picture Gallery
Infanta Margarita Teresa — Diego Velázquez
Portraits painted for the Vienna court, with silk dresses and loose brushwork.
- 9
Picture Gallery
The Four Seasons — Giuseppe Arcimboldo
Composite portraits made of fruit, flowers and animals, an example of the Mannerism of Rudolf II's court.
- 10
Picture Gallery
The Three Philosophers — Giorgione (c. 1505)
An enigmatic, poetic painting whose meaning is still debated.
- 11
Picture Gallery
Self-portraits — Rembrandt
The gallery holds self-portraits by Rembrandt that let you follow the evolution of his gaze.
- 12
Kunstkammer
The Saliera — Benvenuto Cellini (1540–43)
A goldsmith's masterpiece with figures of Neptune and Tellus, one of the most famous works of Mannerism.
How to see them all in one visit
Almost all are in the Picture Gallery, so a 3-hour visit is enough. Start with the Bruegel room, continue through the Italian Renaissance and leave the Kunstkammer for last. If a room is closed, the day's floor plan shows where each work has moved. You can follow the exact order in our 2-hour route.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Hunters in the Snow?
In the Picture Gallery of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, in the room devoted to Pieter Bruegel the Elder.
Which Vermeer is in Vienna?
The Art of Painting (c. 1666), one of the painter's most important works.
Is Klimt's The Kiss at the KHM?
No. The Kiss is in the Upper Belvedere. The KHM has Klimt murals on its monumental staircase.
Does the KHM have Velázquez?
Yes, several portraits of Infanta Margarita Teresa painted for the Vienna court.