Everything you need to know about the Botticelli to van Gogh exhibition at National Gallery of Australia

The National Gallery of Australia’s latest blockbuster exhibition showcases major works from European Masters. Here is everything you need to know.

Australians have a rare opportunity to get up close and personal with world-renowned art by some of Europe’s most famous and influential painters.

Works from European masters including Botticelli, Rembrandt, El Greco, Velazquez, Goya, Renoir, Cézanne and van Gogh will be on display at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra.

Botticelli to van Gogh: Masterpieces from the National Gallery, London, features more than 60 paintings by 56 European masters – including one of the most popular paintings from European art history, Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers.

Drawn exclusively from the collection of the National Gallery, London, the exhibition takes visitors on a journey spanning 500 years of art, from the 15th Century to the turn of the 20th Century.

Here is your essential guide to the NGA’s blockbuster exhibition:

WHERE IS THE BOTTICELLI TO VAN GOGH EXHIBITION?

It is at the National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place, Parkes, Canberra.

BOTTICELLI TO VAN GOGH EXHIBITION 2021 DATES AND OPENING TIMES

The exhibition opens on March 5, and runs until June 14. It is open 10am – 5pm daily.

HIGHLIGHTS OF BOTTICELLI TO VAN GOGH EXHIBITION

The exhibition features more than 60 paintings by 56 European masters. Among them are world-famous works including:

National Gallery of Australia co-ordinating curator Sally Foster with Vincent Van Gogh’s Sunflowers 1888. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

SUNFLOWERS 1888, VAN GOGH

The exhibition will feature one of the most popular paintings from European art history, Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers.

Indeed there are several versions of Sunflowers.

The “yellow on yellow” version – which will be on display as part of the Botticelli

to van Gogh: Masterpieces from the National Gallery, London exhibition – received great praise from his friend and fellow artist Paul Gauguin, who described it as “a perfect page of an essential ‘Vincent’ style”.

SELF-PORTRAIT AT THE AGE 34, 1640, REMBRANDT

The exhibition features one of dozens of self-portraits by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn. We see the artist in confident pose: self-assured, dressed in expensive-looking fur and velvet, his hat laced with jewels.

Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn, Self-portrait at Age 34 1640, National Gallery, London, Image courtesy the National Gallery, London

Johannes Vermeer, A young woman seated at a virginal 1670 72, National Gallery, London, Image courtesy the National Gallery, London

A WOMEN SEATED AT A VIRGINAL, JOHANNES VERMEER

Created by Dutch Golden Age painter Vermeer in about 1670–1672, this painting has many layers of meaning. Interestingly, the picture hanging on the wall shows a prostitute flirting with a client.

HOW TO GET TICKETS FOR BOTTICELLI TO VAN GOGH EXHIBITION

Tickets are on sale at National Gallery of Australia for timed entry only.

HOW MUCH ARE TICKETS TO NGA’S BOTTICELLI TO VAN GOGH EXHIBITION?

Adult: $28

Concession/student: $25

Members: $22

Children (5-16 years): $10

The ticket includes access to the collection and the Know My Name: Australian Women Artists 1900 to Now exhibition.

Timed sessions of two hours start at 10am, with entry to the final session of the day at 4pm.

Note the 4pm session is only one hour.

HOW TO GET TO BOTTICELLI TO VAN GOGH EXHIBITION

PARKING

Weekend parking is free.

Paid parking applies on weekdays until 5pm. The main carpark is underground and accessible from Parkes Place off King Edward Terrace.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

The closest bus stop is on King Edward Terrace and Parkes Place East, just a short walk from the gallery.

COVID-SAFE REQUIREMENTS

The National Gallery is open and has implemented timed entry.

Bookings are essential and conditions apply.

Timed sessions of two hours commence at 10am, with entry to the final session of the day at 4pm. The 4pm session is only one hour.

Book tickets for children and infants too.

The following safety measures when visiting the gallery are required:

Comply with social distancing guidelines of 1.5 metres.

Wash hands frequently with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand rub.

When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue

Comply with lift capacity restrictions.

If you do not feel well, have been in contact with a confirmed or suspected case, or visited an identified COVID-19 hotspot, please do not visit the gallery.