Academy of Fine Arts Vienna
Founded in 1692, The Vienna Academy of Fine Arts has long been an institution of significant historical and cultural importance. With a curriculum that balances traditional techniques with a focus on contemporary approaches, the Academy has become a place where students are pushed to refine their craft while exploring new mediums and ideas. Its influence is felt across various artistic fields, from painting to sculpture and digital media. The Academy’s alumni include major figures in the art world, such as Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka, whose work continues to shape the way we view art today.
past Students
Gottfried Helnwein (born 1948) is an Austrian-Irish visual artist known for his provocative and emotionally charged works that explore themes of childhood, trauma, and societal issues. Working across painting, photography, and installation, Helnwein is celebrated for his hyperrealistic style and haunting imagery. Iconic pieces like his Epiphany series challenge viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about history, violence, and power structures. His work has been exhibited in major institutions worldwide, including the Albertina Museum in Vienna and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, solidifying his place as one of the most compelling contemporary artists.
Gustav Klimt (1862–1918) was an Austrian painter and one of the leading figures of the Vienna Secession movement. Renowned for his decorative style and symbolic imagery, Klimt's works often explored themes of love, beauty, and mortality. His iconic pieces, such as The Kiss and Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, are celebrated for their intricate use of gold leaf, rich patterns, and sensual depictions of the human form. Klimt’s groundbreaking approach challenged traditional academic art and helped redefine modernism. His influence remains profound, making him one of the most celebrated artists of the early 20th century.
Egon Schiele (1890-1918) was an expressionist painter from Austria-Hungary. Alongside Gustav Klimt and Oskar Kokoschka, Schiele is considered the most important figurative artist in Vienna just before and during the First World War. His paintings and drawings, which often depict contorted bodies in bright colors and with sexual overtones, are considered to show an early form of expressionism.
Current students
As selected by EYTE.
