My Story opens with two previously unseen portraits of women, offering direct and surprising insights into current research on Roman portraits.
The Collection of Greek and Roman Antiquities at the Kunsthistorisches Museum houses around 250 Roman marble portraits. Their particular impact lies, to this day,
in the immediacy with which they bring people from a distant past to life.
In this special exhibition, the ancient sculptures themselves take the floor, telling us about their appearance and the central role played by an often underestimated detail: their hairstyle.
This allows us to explore key questions in portrait research – from dating to identity.
KUNSTHISTORISCHES MUSEUM WIEN
Built by Karl Hasenauer and Gottfried von Semper between 1871 and 1891, the Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien ranks among the most renowned museums in the world. Its magnificent architecture provides a worthy setting for collections the Habsburgs built over centuries. These encompass objects from five millennia, i.e. from the time of Ancient Egypt to the end of the 18th century.
My Story: Ancient Female Portraits and Their Afterlife
17 Apr 2026 - 20 Sep 2027
Kunsthistorisches Museum
Maria-Theresien-Platz, 1010 Wien, Österreich
Julia Mamaea Spätseverisch, 222–235 n. Chr.; Kunsthistorisches Museum, Wien, Antikensammlung © KHM-Museumsverband
