Victorians will be able to get up close to more than 100 French Impressionist masterpieces this winter when the next installment of the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series arrives at the National Gallery of Victoria in June.
Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson today announced the Melbourne-exclusive exhibition French Impressionism, which will feature iconic works by some of the biggest names in art – including Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Camille Pissarro, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Mary Cassatt and more.
The National Gallery of Victoria has partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston to bring this unparalleled collection to Melbourne, including many famous works never-before seen in Australia.
French Impressionism will tell the story of this rich creative period in the late 19th century and the radical artists who changed the course of art history.
A major highlight of the exhibition will be a show-stopping, immersive room dedicated to the work of Monet and his beloved scenes of the French countryside.
The Victorian Government has supported the annual Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series since 2004, bringing major international art exhibitions exclusively to Melbourne each winter.
The series has welcomed almost seven million local, interstate and international visitors since its inception and has featured treasures from the best galleries, museums and collections across the globe. Previous Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibitions at the National Gallery of Victoria include chart toppers such as MoMA at NGV (2018), Van Gogh and the Seasons (2017), Salvador Dali: Liquid Desire (2009) and many more.
Coinciding with French Impressionism at NGV International, The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia in Federation Square will present She-Oak and Sunlight: Australian Impressionism, with more than 250 works from public and private collections around Australia. The exhibition will run from 2 April to 22 August 2021.
French Impressionism will run from 4 June to 3 October 2021 at NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Further information is available at .
Quotes attributable to Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson
“The NGV’s Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series will captivate audiences and boost local tourism right in the heart of Melbourne.”
“This is an opportunity for Victorians to enjoy an incredible collection of international artworks right here at home.”
Quotes attributable to NGV Director Tony Ellwood
“Paintings by the Impressionists are beloved world-wide for the artistic innovation and visual curiosity they represent, as well as for their breathtaking use of colour.”
“This exhibition will give audiences the extraordinary opportunity to study more than 100 masterworks up-close.”
Reviewed 01 March 2021