Belgian Queen Mathilde made a special visit to Vienna on Monday to attend the opening of an exhibition featuring the works of Michaelina Wautier at the Kunsthistorisches Museum. The royal visit highlighted the cultural ties between Belgium and Austria while showcasing the remarkable art of a Dutch Baroque painter.
The Queen was warmly welcomed at the Vienna Hofburg Palace by Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and his wife Doris Schmidauer. "So wonderful to see you again," Queen Mathilde said as she greeted the Austrian dignitaries, demonstrating the friendly diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Following the official reception, the royal party proceeded to the prestigious Kunsthistorisches Museum for the opening ceremony of the autumn exhibition. The show presents a solo exhibition dedicated to Michaelina Wautier, a talented Dutch Baroque painter whose work has gained renewed scholarly attention in recent years. The exhibition represents a significant cultural event, bringing together rare works by this historically underrepresented female artist.
Queen Mathilde and Federal President Van der Bellen were given an exclusive private tour of the exhibition by Museum Director General Jonathan Fine before participating in the official opening ceremony held in the museum's magnificent dome hall. The intimate preview allowed the distinguished guests to appreciate Wautier's artistic achievements in a more personal setting.
The formal opening ceremony featured speeches from several notable figures, including Queen Mathilde herself, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, Museum Director General Jonathan Fine, and Katlijne Van der Stighelen, a recognized expert on Michaelina Wautier's work. These presentations provided scholarly context and highlighted the historical significance of Wautier's contributions to Baroque art.
Queen Mathilde's busy schedule of royal engagements continues with another significant European ceremony. On Friday, she is expected to attend the enthronement of Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg, who will be crowned as the new Grand Duke in a ceremonial transition of power in the neighboring duchy.
