National Gallery of Victoria visit

We had things to do at the NGV, so arrived early to allow about an hour to take in the rehang of a couple of the galleries – in particular the 19th Century European.

I say rehang, because during the last contemporary art spectacular at NGV St Kilda Road, all exhibition spaces were blessed with interventions of contemporary bits and pieces placed among the historic works (it rarely worked).

So it was good to see these collection rooms back to what they are supposed to be – looking wonderful.

There was the extra value of a major selection of Hans Art sculptural works in the first room. Also in that first room (level 2) is the NGV major collection of Picasso ceramics – totally recommended if you have the time.

Fun fact: early this year I witnessed a senior staff member doing a very quick walking tour of the contemporary placements in amongst the historic collections.  The group were all dressed alike in their latest versions of New York chic. As they passed by the Picasso artwork and the ceramics, the chief waved his hands in the direction of the ceramics and said “and there are some Picasso ceramics over there”. The members of the group did not react, they just kept on chatting among themselves and quickly followed the leader out of the room.

The catalyst for our visit to this era of artworks was that I had just finished the marvellous book, Paris In Ruin by Sebastian Smee. This book connects the impressionists with the Franco-Prussian war and the disastrous Paris Commune.

The real gem within the many complicated narratives was Sebastian’s telling of the life and artworks of Berthe Morisot.

After reading the book, It was clear that Berthe Morisot was the real focus of the book.
A highly recommended read! I hope to review the book in a post soon.

In the book we learn that Corot was very much a radical in his political actions.

Fun fact – that still life paintings were about one fifth of Manet’s work. It was about food!

Hans Arp at the NGV – click here