Vienna - Academy of Fine Arts

(Local Name: Akademie der Bildenden Künste) The Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna is an institution of international importance for the training of painters, sculptors, graphic artists, stage designers and architects. It also has a major print collection and impressive picture gallery. Peter von Strudel, the founder of the Academy, started the first art school in his house called "Strudelhof" in 1692. He was inspired by Italian examples. In 1876 it transferred to new premises on the Schillerplatz; they were designed by Theophil Hansen in Italian Renaissance style. Among former pupils of the Academy are such Viennese painters as Friedrich von Amerling, Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller, Leopold Kupelweiser, Moritz von