Farewell to Sabine Haag: A celebration of art and culture in the museum!

Farewell to Sabine Haag: A celebration of art and culture in the museum!

On December 10, 2024, the long-time director of the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, Sabine Haag, will say goodbye with an open evening under the motto “Museum for everyone”. Visitors are invited to explore the impressive collections and get to know Haag's personal favorite objects better from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. This farewell marks a significant moment as Haag has been in a leadership position since 2009 and is now looking forward to new challenges outside the museum. Her successor will be the American art and cultural historian Jonathan Fine, who will take up her position at the turn of the year APA reports.

Recent achievements and challenges

In her final year, Haag was still able to make remarkable progress, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. She points to the successful completion of projects, including the barrier-free entrance at Maria-Theresien-Platz and the improvement of the guest infrastructure. However, her term of office was also marked by unfinished projects, such as the expansion of the special exhibition areas. “The pandemic has forced us to focus on other topics,” Haag explained in an interview. She had originally hoped to have more time and resources available for these important projects, but other priorities had to be set, causing some visions to stall, such as ORF reports.

Haag's farewell is also marked by her last major exhibition on Rembrandt and Hoogstraaten, which is intended as a "farewell gift". She wants to leave with a positive impression and looks back on a 16-year term that was marked by numerous encounters and important exhibitions. Despite the challenges, Haag believes that the Kunsthistorisches Museum has gained in relevance and appeal during her tenure. The next step will be handed over to Jonathan Fine, who will continue to drive the development and modernization of the house.