Bentwood chairs by Thonet are still in use in Viennese coffeehouses, and armchairs from the Middle Ages to the present day look absolutely inviting. Biedermeier sofas surprise with pink, green, yellow, or red colors, because the Biedermeier style, with its simple and clear shapes, is considered the cradle of design.

Glass, china, silver, and textiles of the highest quality and in unusual designs were produced at the Wiener Werkstätte, which was founded in 1903 by Josef Hoffmann and Koloman Moser. A hammered silver service by Hoffmann or a black and white vase will thrill not only lovers of art nouveau. In 2012, the MAK show collection "Vienna 1900" was redesigned and dedicated in its entirety to the development of Viennese arts and crafts between 1890 and 1938. The exhibition rooms recount the story of the search for the modern style via the creation of a unique Viennese style to the confrontation of the Viennese style with the international style and ending with the National Socialists seizing power in Austria.

Show all pictures

1 /of 7

7 pictures

Also at display is the MAK permanent collection on Asia, which presents Chinese porcelain, Japanese lacquer work, Japanese wood cuts and Japanese coloring stencil plates. The permanent collection Carpets was reorganized in 2014. And the MAK Design Laboratory makes references between art and everyday life on almost 2,000 m² in the former "Collection of Studies" (Studiensammlung). Contemporary art by Donald Judd, James Turrell and others as well as 12 sofas by Franz West span the artistic range to the present day. Young, sophisticated design to take away can be found in the MAK Design Shop. After visiting the MAK - Museum of Applied Arts, guests are welcome at its restaurant Salonplafond.