The Albertina is housed in a palace, built in 1744 for Count Emanuel Teles Silva-Tarouc. The museum hosts permanent and temporary exhibitions with works from the Albertina collections as well as travelling exhibitions. The collection, containing objects of art, architecture, photography and the furniture and decorations of the palace itself, is of interest for many researchers.

The Albertina has been collecting photographs since the middle of the 19th century and is considered a rich historical collection of 19th century photography.

The collection is complemented by the historic archive of the Langewiesche publishing house (landscape and architecture) and the Austrian Graphische Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt (early photographic techniques) in Vienna, which contain not only pictures but also all kinds of equipment and a library.

The museum’s active acquisitions’ policy lead to the acquirement of the oldest Austrian daguerreotype (1840), depicting Vienna’s Court Riding School and the old Burgtheater (Court Theatre).

Apart from consolidating existing thematic collections, a particular focus of the museum lies on street-life and documentary photography of the 20th century (Henri Cartier-Bresson, Lisette Model, William Eggleston, William Klein, Robert Frank, Stephen Shore and Jakob Tuggener).

The museum employs four curators. Monika Faber, one of the most notable photography- and art historians in Austria, (+43 (0)1534830) is responsible for the contemporary photography collection.

The museum also houses a library, study hall and online database .