The Imperial Art Foundry
k.k. Kunstgießerei
Tucked away on Vienna’s historic Gußhausstraße, the Imperial Art Foundry (formerly known as the k.k. Kunstgießerei) once stood as a symbol of European metal artistry. What began in the 18th century as a humble extension of the Austrian cannon foundry evolved into a pioneering centre for sculptural innovation and large-scale bronze casting.
This storied site played host to some of Austria’s most influential artistic minds. In 1856, celebrated sculptor Anton Dominik Fernkorn established his studio within the old Arsenal buildings, where legends like Franz Anton Zauner had earlier cast the iconic Kaiser Joseph II monument. Just a few years later, Emperor Franz Joseph I gave the foundry official status as an art institution—its mission: to train emerging artists in the intricate craft of ore casting.
China Man Bronze Tankard by Alfonso Canciani cast by K.K. Kunstgießerei Available at Jacksons Antique
Over the decades, the foundry helped shape the visual identity of not only Vienna, but cities around the world. Under the direction of Franz Xaver Pönninger and later Josef Röhlich, it produced over 90 major monuments and sculptures. Works such as Hellmer’s Goethe Monument, Břenek’s bust of Emperor Franz Joseph, and Zumbusch’s Diana statue were cast here before being shipped to destinations as far afield as Berlin, Madrid, New York, and Sydney.
By the early 20th century, support from industrialist Arthur Krupp and the Berndorf Metalworks helped sustain the foundry’s legacy until its eventual closure and demolition in 1909. Yet, its influence endured.
In a nearby annex, a studio was created for the famed historical painter Hans Makart in 1869—a lavish space where ceiling frescoes met grandeur and public art. Makart’s studio became a cultural salon of sorts, opening its doors to the public and inspiring the next generation of Viennese artists. Though the building was lost in the First World War, Makart’s impact remained, with only his former residence surviving behind what is now the Vienna University of Technology’s Electrotechnical Institute.
Memento Mori Bronze Vulture and Skull by Bohuslav Schnirch cast by K.K. Kunstgießerei Available at Jacksons Antique
Today, the story of the Imperial Art Foundry lives on in the sculptures it brought to life and the international artists and artisans it helped train. It’s a reminder of Vienna’s deep roots in fine metalwork, monumental design, and artistic collaboration principles that continue to inspire contemporary makers and retailers.