Gottfried Helnwein Auctions Painting to Fund Vienna City Temple Restoration
For restoration of Vienna’s historic synagogue: Gottfried Helnwein to auction painting
Image: Jpost
Austrian-Irish artist Gottfried Helnwein is auctioning his painting 'The Child Dreams' to support the restoration of the Vienna City Temple, a significant synagogue for Vienna's Jewish community. The auction aims to raise funds for the project, which will cost over €10 million.
- 01The painting 'The Child Dreams' was created in 2025-2026 and incorporates wooden panels from the Vienna City Temple.
- 02Helnwein's work focuses on themes of vulnerability and historical memory, particularly concerning children.
- 03The Vienna City Temple, built in 1826, is the only synagogue in Vienna that survived the Kristallnacht pogrom.
- 04The restoration project was announced at a press event on October 17, with a total cost exceeding €10 million.
- 05The auction house, im Kinsky, is charging a reduced buyer's premium of 15% for this auction.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Austrian-Irish artist Gottfried Helnwein is auctioning his latest painting, 'The Child Dreams', to raise funds for the restoration of the Vienna City Temple, a historic synagogue significant to Vienna's Jewish community. The artwork, created between 2025 and 2026, is an oil-and-acrylic piece on canvas measuring 174.5 cm x 126 cm, and it incorporates wooden panels from the synagogue itself, symbolizing a direct connection to the restoration effort. The auction will take place through Auction House im Kinsky, which is offering a reduced buyer's premium of 15%. Helnwein, whose art often addresses themes of childhood vulnerability and historical trauma, aims to highlight the importance of preserving Jewish heritage in Austria. The City Temple, built in 1826, is notable for surviving the 1938 Kristallnacht pogrom and continues to serve as a central place of worship for Vienna's approximately 7,000 Jewish members. The restoration project, presented at a press event on October 17, is expected to cost over €10 million, and the Jewish Community of Vienna is actively seeking donations to support this initiative.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The restoration of the Vienna City Temple aims to preserve an important cultural and historical site for the Jewish community in Vienna.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
What do you think about the importance of preserving historical sites?
Connecting to poll...
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.





