It’s just over a week away from the world premiere and the first pieces from the National Gallery of Victoria’s much-anticipated Degas exhibition have been unveiled.
Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley visited the gallery as three stunning works, direct from the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, were uncrated and prepared for installation.
Part of the Andrews Labor Government’s Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series, Degas: A New Vision will explore the career of iconic 19th century artist Edgar Degas, spanning more than 50 years.
The exhibition will be the largest display of Degas works to ever come to Australia. The works will come to the NGV from 75 lenders, including lauded institutions as well as private collectors, in more than 40 cities across globe. Many of the works will travel to Australia for the first time.
Exploring Degas’ diverse career, the exhibition will include paintings, illustrations, and prints along with sculptures and photographs produced by the artist late in his career as his eyesight deteriorated.
The exhibition is curated by the world’s pre-eminent expert on Degas, former director of the Louvre and Musee D’Orsay, Henri Loyrette. It has been developed by the National Gallery of Victoria in collaboration with The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Following the Melbourne season, the exhibition will travel to Houston in October.
In addition to the exhibition, the NGV has partnered with the Australian Ballet and Orchestra Victoria to stage pop up performances throughout the gallery and the popular NGV Friday Nights series will continue with a line-up of contemporary music acts including Clare Bowditch, Mick Harvey, Jen Cloher, Augie March.
Degas: A New Vision will be staged at NGV International from 24 June – 18 September 2016. For information on tickets and public programs, visit
Quotes attributable to Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley
“Degas: A New Vision is set to be yet another incredible world premiere exhibition. It will be the largest display of Degas works ever in Australia with 75 lenders, including the Musée d'Orsay, entrusting the NGV with their priceless treasures.”
“This year we mark the 21st exhibition in the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series. Since the series began in 2004, more than 5 million people have attended, including many interstate and international visitors, bringing hundreds of millions of dollars into the Victorian economy.”
“This world premiere exhibition is an ambitious undertaking that shows why the NGV is Australia’s most popular gallery and why Victoria is the creative state.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020