The Hofburg in Vienna from 1835 until 1918

The Hofburg in Vienna is the largest complex of secular buildings in Europe, and one of the world`s major palaces. This intrinsic importance contrasts markedly with the lack of attention paid to the residence by art historians. A volume of the "Österreichische Kunsttopographie" [`Austrian Topography of Art`] (by Moriz Dreger) devoted to the Hofburg in 1914, several essays by Harry Kühnel, Alphons Lhotsky`s publication on the Neue Burg in 1941, and a special issue of the "Österreichische Zeitschrift für Kunst- und Denkmalpflege" (1997), to cite the most relevant bibliographical references, give an indication of the quantitatively inadequate range of studies produced, to date, on the history of the Vienna Hofburg. The Austrian Academy of Sciences` "Art History Commission", directed by Prof. Artur Rosenauer (University of Vienna), has therefore set itself the aim of carrying out a comprehensive study of the Vienna Hofburg, utilising contemporary research approaches, in a major project extending over several years. The digitisation of the plans from the Albertina, the Palace, Court and national archives, and other institutions, which the Art History Commission is currently carrying out will provide an excellent apparatus for the research to be conducted by the individual participants in the project, on which the art historical research proper will be able to build, adopting a broad range of methodological approaches. Many of the studies carried out as part of the project break new ground, since no comparable attempt has so far been undertaken, focusing on the history of the Vienna Hofburg in the 19th century, to shed light on the complex structure of a European palace utilising a considerably enhanced basis of materials. Starting from the heterogeneous appearance which the Vienna Hofburg presented at the beginning of the 19th century, characterised by parts which differed in design, successive attempts were made to unify the structure of the building. In the second half of the 19th century, the Hofburg was to be extended by the "Imperial Forum" designed by Semper and Hasenauer (from 1869) and thus connected to the Ringstraße area. Since this project, which was never completed, formed an integrated whole, both the parts which were, and those which were not, realised are considered on an equal footing. In addition to the architectural elements, the Hofburg gardens are an integral part of the Emperors` city residence. By virtue of their position, and the fact that they form part of the Imperial power-centre, as well as their diversity in terms of garden art, the palace gardens can undoubtedly claim a special place in the garden art of Europe.

The Hofburg in Vienna is the largest complex of secular buildings in Europe, and one of the world`s major palaces. This intrinsic importance contrasts markedly with the lack of attention paid to the residence by art historians. A volume of the "Österreichische Kunsttopographie" [`Austrian Topography of Art`] (by Moriz Dreger) devoted to the Hofburg in 1914, several essays by Harry Kühnel, Alphons Lhotsky`s publication on the Neue Burg in 1941, and a special issue of the "Österreichische Zeitschrift für Kunst- und Denkmalpflege" (1997), to cite the most relevant bibliographical references, give an indication of the quantitatively inadequate range of studies produced, to date, on the history of the Vienna Hofburg. The Austrian Academy of Sciences` "Art History Commission", directed by Prof. Artur Rosenauer (University of Vienna), has therefore set itself the aim of carrying out a comprehensive study of the Vienna Hofburg, utilising contemporary research approaches, in a major project extending over several years. The digitisation of the plans from the Albertina, the Palace, Court and national archives, and other institutions, which the Art History Commission is currently carrying out will provide an excellent apparatus for the research to be conducted by the individual participants in the project, on which the art historical research proper will be able to build, adopting a broad range of methodological approaches. Many of the studies carried out as part of the project break new ground, since no comparable attempt has so far been undertaken, focusing on the history of the Vienna Hofburg in the 19th century, to shed light on the complex structure of a European palace utilising a considerably enhanced basis of materials. Starting from the heterogeneous appearance which the Vienna Hofburg presented at the beginning of the 19th century, characterised by parts which differed in design, successive attempts were made to unify the structure of the building. In the second half of the 19th century, the Hofburg was to be extended by the "Imperial Forum" designed by Semper and Hasenauer (from 1869) and thus connected to the Ringstraße area. Since this project, which was never completed, formed an integrated whole, both the parts which were, and those which were not, realised are considered on an equal footing. In addition to the architectural elements, the Hofburg gardens are an integral part of the Emperors` city residence. By virtue of their position, and the fact that they form part of the Imperial power-centre, as well as their diversity in terms of garden art, the palace gardens can undoubtedly claim a special place in the garden art of Europe.