The exhibition “Michaelina Wautier: Painter” is one of the most ambitious monographic shows in Europe for 2025–2026. It brings back to the spotlight a name that was nearly forgotten in art history: Michaelina Wautier (1604–1689). Her works cover every genre of 17th-century Flemish painting — from monumental history paintings and biblical dramas, to sensitive portraits, to intimate genre scenes and still life compositions. Unlike many of her contemporaries who specialized in one area, Wautier moved boldly across themes, styles, and formats.
Dates:
30 September 2025 – 22 February 2026
Location:
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna
Visitors will see 29 paintings, one drawing, and one rare print — many gathered from private collections and rarely displayed before. The Kunsthistorisches Museum (KHM) positions this exhibition not only as an art event, but as a cultural correction: a chance to restore the rightful place of a female master. ✨
Mission:
By walking through the galleries, visitors will not only see paintings — they will walk through a revision of art history itself.
Organizer:
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna (in collaboration with international lenders)
🎯 Key Highlights of Michaelina Wautier: Painter Exhibition
Portraits full of dignity and psychology — capturing the spirit of 17th-century elites with a fresh eye.
Biblical & Mythological paintings that prove her skill in large-scale dramatic storytelling — a field usually dominated by men.
Genre scenes where everyday Flemish life is shown with tenderness and humor.
Still lifes that reveal her love for detail, nature, and symbolism.
Rare works from private collections on display for the first time — a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see them.
A richly illustrated exhibition catalogue with scholarly essays.
Why attend to Michaelina Wautier: Painter Exhibition?
To discover a lost master of Flemish Baroque art. 👑
To experience a balanced perspective on art history — not just the “big names” but the overlooked talents.
To enjoy Vienna’s most talked-about show of the season.
To be inspired by the story of a woman who defied the limits of her time.
To take part in a cultural moment where art, history, and equality come together.
✈️ By Air: Fly to Vienna International Airport (VIE). From there: 20–25 minutes by City Airport Train (CAT) or 30 minutes by taxi.
🚄 By Train: Vienna Hauptbahnhof is one of Europe’s busiest hubs. Trains connect from Germany, Italy, Czechia, Hungary.
🚋 By Public Transport: The Kunsthistorisches Museum is located on the Ringstrasse, easily accessible by U-Bahn (metro), trams, and buses. Nearest stops: Karlsplatz, Museumsquartier.
🚶 By Foot: If you stay in the Innere Stadt (Old Town), you can walk through Vienna’s historic streets to the museum.
🏨 Accommodation
• 🏙 Near the Museum Quarter: boutique hotels, luxury stays (Hotel Sacher, Hotel Sans Souci Wien). Perfect if you want to walk. • 💸 Budget stays: hostels and mid-range hotels in Neubau or Josefstadt districts — cheaper but still central. • 🌿 Unique stays: book a traditional Viennese townhouse with Baroque interiors via local guesthouses.
💡 Book early! Autumn–winter in Vienna is high season with concerts, balls, and holiday markets.
Secure Your Spot at Michaelina Wautier: Painter Exhibition — Before It’s Too Late
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🎨 Gallery: Michaelina Wautier: Painter Exhibition
History of Michaelina Wautier: Painter Exhibition
For centuries, Michaelina Wautier was a shadowy figure. Her works were often misattributed to male artists like Rubens or her brother Charles Wautier. Many museums even catalogued her paintings under “unknown Flemish artist.”
Only in the last decades did scholars begin to re-examine the archives and rediscover her signature. Step by step, canvases once thought lost to anonymity have been re-established as Michaelina’s creations.
This Vienna exhibition is a continuation of that rediscovery, positioning her not as a “woman painter in the margins,” but as a major Baroque voice. It gives visitors the chance to rethink how gender and power shaped the art world of the 1600s.
🎨 Mission of Michaelina Wautier: Painter Exhibition
The mission of Michaelina Wautier: Painter is both artistic and social: • ✨ Recognition: To finally place Wautier in the canon of Baroque painters alongside her male contemporaries. • 🎨 Education: To show audiences how versatile one artist could be in a period when women were rarely allowed into the professional art scene. • 🔎 Correction: To challenge centuries of misattribution and bias in art history. • 🌍 Inspiration: To encourage future research and exhibitions about women artists long neglected by history.
💡 Tips for Visitors of Michaelina Wautier: Painter Exhibition
⏳ Take your time: allow at least 2–3 hours. Some paintings are small, full of hidden details.
🎧 Use the audio guide — curators provide rich commentary about symbolism, hidden allegories, and rediscovery stories.
📚 Buy the exhibition catalogue: a collector’s item with essays and high-quality reproductions.
📸 Respect photography rules: some works from private lenders may not allow photos.
🕒 Visit early in the day to avoid crowds, especially on weekends.
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