1864 A Museum for Arts & Crafts
The history of arts and crafts in Austria is closely linked to the history of the Österreichisches Museum für Kunst und Industrie ("Austrian Museum of Art and Industry"), which was established following an event in London. Rudolf von Eitelberger, Professor of Art History at the University of Vienna, visited the South Kensington Museum (the present-day "Victoria and Albert Museum"), which had been financed privately, during the 1862 World Exhibition.

He described his impressions enthusiastically to the Prime Minister, Archduke Rainer, and was requested by the Emperor to design a Museum of Arts and Crafts.

In 1864 Austrian arts and crafts moved into the Museum (Collection) - in 1867 the opening of the adjoining Vienna School of Arts and Crafts followed.

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View of the pillared hall of the former Museum für Kunst und Industrie ("Museum of Art and Industry), now renamed Museum für angewandte Kunst ("Museum of Applied Arts").
© MAK Österreichisches Museum für angewandte Kunst