Klimt’s hidden masterpieces on show for first time in Austria

• Ten early oil paintings by Austrian artist Gustav Klimt, located on the ceiling of Vienna's Burgtheater, are currently undergoing extensive restoration due to water damage.
• These works, painted between 1886 and 1888 when Klimt was 24, represent his first major commission and offer a rare glimpse into his formative artistic period.
• For the first time, the public can access daily guided tours onto scaffolding, allowing them to view the conservation efforts and intricate details of the paintings up close.
• The meticulous restoration, costing several hundred thousand euros, involves hand-cleaning the artworks, which depict various scenes from theatre history and include Klimt's only known self-portrait.
• This unique opportunity for art enthusiasts to witness Klimt's largely unseen early masterpieces will continue until August, after which the scaffolding will be removed.

IN FULL

Klimt’s hidden masterpieces revealed in unique behind-the-scenes Vienna tour