Portraits of Three Former Parliamentary Leaders Still Absent from Austrian Parliament Gallery

The portrait gallery in Austria's Parliament, which honors former National Council Presidents, has seen no additions for over a decade, despite three leaders having stepped down during this period. The portraits of Doris Bures (Social Democratic Party), Elisabeth Köstinger (Austrian People's Party), and Wolfgang Sobotka (Austrian People's Party) remain missing for a variety of procedural reasons.

Since the establishment of the Second Republic, it has been a tradition that former National Council Presidents are commemorated with a portrait displayed in a corridor near the plenary chamber. However, these portraits are only installed after the individuals have completely left the National Council. This policy explains why Doris Bures's portrait has not been unveiled, as she continues to serve in the National Council--currently as its Third President--following her earlier roles at the top. Her portrait has reportedly already been completed and stored, pending her eventual departure from parliamentary duties.

The situation surrounding Elisabeth Köstinger is more complex. Her brief tenure as President in late 2017, which lasted just over a month, was marked by expectations that she would soon join the next government--a prediction that proved accurate. Köstinger later expressed disappointment regarding the absence of her portrait, attributing responsibility to the parliamentary administration. However, parliamentary officials have noted that they contacted Köstinger to select an artist for her portrait, in line with established practice, but have not received a response from her to date.

Wolfgang Sobotka, who left the National Council over a year ago, also remains without a portrait. According to parliamentary sources, Sobotka has yet to choose an artist to create his likeness, a choice that is customary for all honorees within a specified budget. His office has indicated that he is still considering candidates for the commission.

The tradition of producing these commemorative artworks has evolved over the years. Earlier portraits followed a conservative artistic style, with several painted by academic artists such as Robert Fuchs and Adalbert Pilch. Over time, the approach has become more diverse, with artists like Georg Eisler and Xenia Hausner introducing new techniques and vibrant colors. Notably, the portrait of Barbara Prammer was created posthumously in 2015 using a unique lead-screen print process, marking the only photographic work among the current eleven displayed pieces.

The selection of artists and styles has occasionally sparked discussion, as seen with the unconventional relief portrait of Andreas Khol by Josef Kern. Each new commission reflects both the evolving history of Austrian parliamentary leadership and the changing landscape of contemporary art in public spaces.

Looking ahead, the eventual unveiling of the pending portraits will continue this tradition, further documenting the history and transformation of Austria's National Council through visual art.