Whispers of artistic genius echo within these walls. Welcome to the Langenzersdorf Museum, formerly known as the Hanak-Museum. It is a place where sculpture comes to life. Here, we celebrate Anton Hanak, a brilliant sculptor who called Langenzersdorf home for over two decades. From 1901 to 1921, Hanak lived and worked in the Kellergasse, not far from where we stand.
The Langenzersdorf Museum initially began with just a garden and the above-ground part of a building called the Champagnerkeller. The local council provided these to the Museumsverein. In 1970, the Hanak-Museum officially opened. It showcased works acquired by Lower Austria from Hanak’s estate.
After a major renovation, the Langenzersdorf Museum reopened in 2014, led by Gregor-Anatol Bockstefl.
Inside the Langenzersdorf Museum, you will find many large sculptures and preparatory studies. These pieces show Hanak’s talent and vision. Pay close attention to the works Hanak created for the city of Vienna. These include the Viktor Adler bust for the Republikdenkmal on Vienna’s Ringstrasse. Also featured is the Schmerzensmutter at the Vienna Central Cemetery. The Langenzersdorf Museum also documents works Hanak made for his patron, Otto Primavesi. Studies for the over-life-size sculpture of Margarethe Stonborough-Wittgenstein and the Pietà are also found here.
Note the designs for the monumental Emniyet-Denkmal in Ankara. Sadly, Anton Hanak could not complete this final work himself.
Among the Langenzersdorf Museum’s collection, you will find some notable pieces. These include “Der brennende Mensch” from 1922, a plaster design. Admire the bronzed plaster design of “Prof. Dr. Emil Zuckerkandl” from 1923. Reflect on the “Schmerzensmutter” from 1924, a plaster design for a war memorial. Do not miss Hanak’s self-portrait from 1925. The Langenzersdorf Museum holds the portrait bust of Viktor Adler. This was a design for the Republic Memorial on Vienna’s Ringstrasse. You can also view “Pieta,” a bronzed plaster design of the second version from 1930. See the first and third versions of the plaster design “Margarethe Stonborough-Wittgenstein” from 1925. Consider “Die junge Türkei” a plaster design from 1933. Finally, observe the portrait bust of Karl Seitz, a bronzed plaster design from 1933/34.
The Langenzersdorf Museum dedicates space to Anton Hanak’s students. Among them is Fritz Wotruba, whose works are also on display.
The Langenzersdorf Museum does not stop there. It offers an overview of the works of sculptors Siegfried Charoux and Alois Heidel. It also holds a prehistoric collection and a local history collection. Explore the Tonstudio of composer Max Brand too.
The Anton Hanak Archive connects to the Langenzersdorf Museum. It holds the artist’s written legacy. You will find extensive image and sound materials about Anton Hanak and his works here.
Special exhibitions at the Langenzersdorf Museum document Hanak’s companions and contemporaries. The Langenzersdorf Museum also hosts exhibitions of contemporary visual artists.
The Langenzersdorf Museum stands as a testament to artistic legacy. It connects us to Hanak’s world and inspires us to appreciate sculpture.