Vienna, Leopold Museum: A guided tour through art and the occult

Key Points

• In-depth exploration of modernist artists’ fascination with the occult and spiritualism.
• Major fall exhibition features over 180 works by 72 artists, including prominent figures like Kandinsky, Schiele, and Schönberg.
• Learn about the influence of alchemy, theosophy, and mediumistic practices on early 20th-century art.
• Tour covers secret desires of artists around 1900 and their connections to life reform movements.
• Guides are knowledgeable, and the tour is accessible to small groups or private bookings.
• The experience lasts between 1 and 1.5 hours, starting at the Leopold Museum in Vienna.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Discover the Intersection of Art and the Occult at the Leopold Museum

The guided tour at Vienna’s Leopold Museum offers a captivating journey into a lesser-known aspect of European modernism. Spanning 1 to 1.5 hours, this experience takes visitors through an exhibition showcasing over 180 works by 72 artists, many of whom explored spiritualism, occult practices, alchemy, and theosophy. The tour emphasizes how these themes influenced artists seeking new forms of expression around 1900, making it particularly appealing for those interested in art history, esoteric movements, and life reform.

This tour combines artistic insights with historical context, led by knowledgeable guides in German and English. Whether you’re a history buff, an art enthusiast, or simply curious about the secret pursuits of early 20th-century artists, this experience offers a unique perspective. A notable strength is the comprehensive coverage of key figures like Gustav Klimt’s circle, Kandinsky, and Egon Schiele, along with lesser-known artists involved in mediumistic drawings and scientific experiments.

The Leopold Museum’s Major Fall Exhibition

The tour centers around the major fall exhibition at the Leopold Museum, which gathers works that reflect the hidden worlds of modernism. This includes artists’ experiments with X-rays, magnetism, and para-scientific discoveries, highlighting their dual roles as artists and seekers. The exhibition explores how artists’ colonies promoted ideas of paradisiacal outdoor living and life reform, including vegetarian diets and social utopian ideals.

The collection features notable artists such as Edvard Munch, August Strindberg, Koloman Moser, and Wassily Kandinsky, alongside female artists Erika Giovanna Klien and others. The focus on scientific influences and mystical themes reveals how they aimed to connect with the supernatural and explore new realities.

Visiting the Leopold Museum: Location and Meeting Details

The tour begins at the Leopold Museum, situated in Vienna’s Museum Quartier. The specific meeting point is the museum atrium, accessible after admission and ticket inspection. The coordinates are 48.2026481628418, 16.359142303466797. The tour wraps up back at the museum, making logistics straightforward.

The museum’s accessibility makes this experience suitable for small groups or private bookings, with wheelchair accessibility included. The meeting process is simple, and the tour is designed to fit into a typical museum visit.

What Artists Explored in Their Occult Practices

Many early 20th-century artists engaged in group occult practices such as séances aimed at spiritual communication. The exhibition reveals how mediumistic drawings and mediums—particularly female mediums—played a significant role in shaping the artistic scene of occult modernism. Artists like Fidus and Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach promoted life outside urban society, emphasizing paradisiacal outdoor lifestyles aligned with life reform ideals.

The alchemical experiments and scientific debates surrounding magnetism and radiation illustrate how artists combined scientific curiosity with spiritual exploration. Their group activities aimed to test new chemical reactions and summon spirits, creating a blend of art, science, and mysticism.

More Great Tours Nearby

The Role of Female Media in the Artistic Occult Movement

The exhibition gives attention to female mediums who significantly influenced occult modernism. These women acted as intermediaries between the spiritual realm and the artistic community, contributing mediumistic drawings and visions. Their involvement underscores the gendered aspect of the occult and how women played key roles in the spiritualist movements that intertwined with avant-garde art.

Their contributions helped shape the visual language of mystical and esoteric themes, which artists like Erika Giovanna Klien later integrated into their works. The presence of two female artists in the exhibit highlights their importance in the broader European modernist scene.

How Kandinsky’s Abstraction Connects to Schönberg’s Music

The tour explores Wassily Kandinsky’s abstract art and its linked musical visions by Arnold Schönberg. Kandinsky’s pursuit of spiritual and mystical symbolism in form and color finds a parallel in Schönberg’s avant-garde music compositions. Both artists sought to express transcendental realities and connect the spiritual with the aesthetic through their respective arts.

This interconnection demonstrates how visual and auditory abstractions were part of a shared quest to reach beyond the physical world. The exhibition contextualizes Kandinsky’s abstract forms within the broader esoteric and scientific pursuits of the era, illustrating the cross-disciplinary influence of occult ideas.

Practical Details: Duration, Accessibility, and Booking

The tour is designed to be timed flexibly, with start times available throughout the day, and lasts between 1 and 1.5 hours. It is available as a private or small group experience, with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. The booking process allows you to reserve now and pay later, which helps maintain travel plan flexibility.

Guides are fluent in German and English, and the tour is wheelchair accessible. Given the focused content, it suits visitors with an interest in art history, esotericism, or cultural movements of the early 1900s. It is not suitable for party groups, backpacks, or food and drink in the museum.

Why This Tour Stands Out Among Vienna’s Cultural Experiences

Unlike typical museum visits, this guided tour emphasizes the mystical, scientific, and social aspects of modernist art. Its focus on less conventional themes like alchemy and mediumship offers a fresh perspective on artists often celebrated solely for their aesthetic innovations.

The expert guides ensure that complex topics like theosophy, occult practices, and scientific experiments are explained clearly. The inclusion of female mediums and group séances adds a layer of social history not always covered in standard art tours.

The exhibition’s rich collection and the contextual insights make this journey particularly rewarding for those eager to understand the hidden dimensions of early modernism.

Who Will Enjoy This Tour Most?

This experience is ideal for art lovers intrigued by esoteric themes, history enthusiasts interested in scientific experiments, and those curious about the spiritualist movements of the early 20th century. It suits visitors seeking a focused, intellectually stimulating tour lasting just over an hour.

While the tour is accessible for small groups and private bookings, it requires an interest in the themes presented. It’s a perfect fit for adults who want a deeper understanding of how spirituality influenced art movements that continue to shape modern aesthetics.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the tour last?
The guided tour lasts between 1 and 1.5 hours.

Is the tour accessible for wheelchair users?
Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible.

In which languages is the tour conducted?
The tour is offered in German and English.

Can I cancel my reservation?
Yes, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance.

Do I need to pay upfront?
You can reserve now and pay later, providing flexibility in your travel plans.

Where does the tour start?
The tour begins at the Leopold Museum atrium after ticket inspection.

Is this tour suitable for large groups?
It is designed for small or private groups for a more personalized experience.

What themes are covered during the tour?
The tour explores artists’ secret desires, life reform movements, mediumistic practices, and scientific influences on modernism.

Are there any restrictions on bringing food or drinks?
Yes, food and drinks are not allowed in the museum or during the tour.

Can I book this tour at any time?
Availability varies; check current times to see suitable start options.

You can check availability for your dates here: More Great Tours Nearby