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Enjoy fine Viennese Apfelstrudel in Freud’s dining room and learn about one of the less well-known aspects of Freud: his passion for collecting antiquities.
Freud was a knowledgeable collector, amassing some 2,000 Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Chinese objects which he arranged on his desk and on nearly every surface in his study, as well as in glass cabinets. The oldest dates to 2,000BC; the newest, a 20th-century metal porcupine.
While you sip your morning coffee, enjoy two short talks on the culture of Freud’s time. Art historian, Jamie Ruers will transport you to the coffeehouse, a cornerstone of fin de siecle Vienna, and for Freud himself. This will be followed by an exclusive talk by Museum Curator, Marina Maniadaki about how Freud acquired the objects in his vast collection.
Sigmund Freud’s Vienna
One of the great traditions of turn of the century Vienna, was das Wiener Kaffeehaus – the Viennese Coffeehouse. Freud frequented Vienna’s renowned Café Landtmann where he liked to sip his coffee, read the newspaper and meet other Viennese thinkers and artists.
After fleeing Nazi-occupied Vienna in 1938, the Freud family set up home in London. In an unexpected blessing, virtually all their possessions were sent after them, including the original couch on which Freud’s patients told him their dreams. Here, Freud recreated his study and consulting room much as it had been in Vienna. Preserved as it was when he died, Freud’s study provides a unique glimpse into the complex intellectual life of fin de siècle Vienna.
Our Apfelstrudel is supplied by the wonderful London-based, traditional Viennese patisserie, Kipferl. Hand-made with ultra-thin pastry and filled apples, raisins and almonds, and warmly spiced with cinnamon, they are a pure Viennese indulgence! Enjoy the traditional way, with coffee, or choose from a selection of teas.
You are welcome to continue to browse the Museum and Gift Shop when we open to the public at 10.30am.
Members get priority booking and a discounted entry ticket. Please use the link in your email to access the early Members booking.
General booking opens on Wednesday 11th January.
