“Everything Made of Paper”

Approximately 290,000 books and magazines as well as 400,000 works on paper have been collected since the founding of the MAK in 1863. They served as a source of inspiration for Austrian designers. Cheaper to purchase and more space-saving to store than objects, prints, drawings, and photographs of works of art and designs were a fundamental element of the museum’s plan to have an educational impact on Austrian arts and crafts as well as industrial design.
For example, those interested were able to familiarize themselves with international and historical styles und techniques based on copies of styles, ornamental engravings, and design collections.
Contrary to what the name may imply, it is by no means merely a collection of individual sheets depicting artistic works. Following the division of the museum’s Collection based on materials, the Works on Paper Collection includes all objects made of paper. In addition to the extensive holdings of historical prints, this also includes hand drawings, a poster collection, a photo collection, letters, covers, playing cards, a paper globe, and a lot more.
Highlights of the collection include Gustav Klimt’s 9 working drawing of the execution of a mosaic frieze for the dining hall of Stoclet House in Brussels as well as 61 of 100 preserved pages of the magnificent Indo-Persian manuscript Hamza Nama.

Free of Charge

Like already 150 years ago, the holdings of the Library and the Works on Paper Collection can be viewed free of charge. The Reading Room of the Library is a freely accessible workspace where users can easily draw on the museum’s collected expertise. The Library and the Works on Paper Collection is thus an important and direct connection between the museum and the outside world. Generous opening hours, free admission, and ongoing digitalization of the holdings maintain the relationship to the public, as was originally intended.