Bloody Jigsaw of World History

All those who would like to find out more about how cruel human beings can be – not necessarily by watching television – should pay a visit to the Austrian National Library. The setting for the monumental exhibition Bloody History until the beginning of November 2008 is the Baroque State Hall of the former imperial residence. Even without a special exhibition this is a place guaranteed to send shivers down your back.

Violent Scenes in a Baroque Ambience

The chosen setting for this special exhibition could hardly be more stylish than the 80 metre long hall which has a 20 metre high cupola in the former court library of the Habsburgs. This magnificent hall was built at the beginning of the 18th century and, containing over 200,000 books, is considered to be the largest and one of the most beautiful Baroque libraries in Europe.

Much older but no less beautiful to look at are some of the exhibits which have been dug out specifically for the current exhibition Bloody History and are now on display for the public. The “cultural and historical survey of the world of crime” begins with the biblical fratricide and ends with the comparison between “Fantasies of Violence and Utopias of Peace”. In between, maltreated saints, transfigured heroes, assassins and treacherous murderers await courageous visitors.

“Fantasies of Violence and Utopias of Peace”

Some of the photographs on display could make the faint-hearted a little queasy. On the other hand less dreadful to look at are the valuable manuscripts from the 15th century, which tell of the martyrdom of saints. Some of the depictions on the theme of cannibalism, human sacrifice and ritual murders appear to be really naïve. Visitors should take their time when looking at Indios as Cannibals from the year 1621 so that they can find even the very last limb hidden in the picture. More severed heads await us in the section Female Cunning and Strong Women, first and foremost a wooden sculpture of the severed head of John the Baptist.

Strong Nerves and Sufficient Time

In view of so much crime it’s hardly surprising that Hannes Etzlstorfer, curator of the exhibition, has also devoted some space to its investigation and reporting. From the beginnings of journalism violent deeds were always a popular subject. A report can be seen about the assassination in Sarajevo, “The Dreadful Deed of Angela Ondracek”, and more recently. the cannibalistic deed carried out by a young man from Vienna against the person he was living with.

Interesting details can be discovered as one goes around the exhibition, and these can certainly fill some gaps in knowledge. Visitors are advised that besides strong nerves they should also and above all allow enough time because it is well worth taking a closer look and reading in detail.