Vienna's New Exhibition Unveils the Mythic and Scientific Legacy of Corals

A new exhibition at the KHM-Museumsverband and the Natural History Museum Vienna is exploring the fascinating history of corals. Titled The Blood of Medusa: The Corals of Ambras Castle, it examines how these marine organisms have been understood, classified, and valued over centuries. The exhibition traces coral from mythological interpretations to modern scientific classification. In Christianity, it was once seen as a protective talisman and a symbol of Christ’s blood. Later, in the 18th century, Carl Linnaeus categorised corals as animals for the first time.

Visitors can experience nearly 50 pieces from the Ambras holdings, alongside selected loans. Highlights include coral cabinets once owned by Archduke Ferdinand II, who assembled one of the world’s most significant collections of coral objects. The display also features intricate works like coral mountains and inlays from Trapani.

Beyond historical artefacts, the exhibition creates an immersive sensory experience. Light, colour, sound, and walk-in coral cabinets bring the underwater world to life. It also addresses urgent contemporary issues, such as rising sea temperatures and coral bleaching, which threaten reefs today. The exhibition offers a journey through time, art, and science. It reveals how human perceptions of coral have evolved while highlighting the pressing environmental challenges these ecosystems now face. The collaboration between the two museums ensures a rich and multifaceted exploration of the subject.