The concept of Gesamtkunstwerk, as initially formulated by Richard Wagner in the context of the performing arts, gains renewed relevance today within the sphere of contemporary museography. In the digital age, the museum can no longer be viewed merely as a space for preservation and display; it becomes a synergistic framework in which architecture, technology, scenography, narrativity, and public participation are articulated into a fully integrative experience. The virtual museum reflects the profound transformations of contemporary cultural practices and immersive aesthetics. Through its ability to integrate technology, participation, and global accessibility, it redefines the traditional museum experience and opens new directions for immersive art. This study proposes a comparative analysis of the physical and virtual museum from the perspective of Gesamtkunstwerk manifestations and the educational function within the design and operation of the exhibition space. By identifying and evaluating key dimensions of both types of museums, the aim is to outline a theoretical and empirical model of the contemporary museum as a total work of art.

Keywords: Physical and virtual museums, Gesamtkunstwerk, education, virtual reality, immersion, interactivity, arts, culture.