French Impressionism master art works to star in NGV’s winter blockbuster exhibition

World-famous works by master artists including Monet and Renoir will be shown at NGV’s next major exhibition — including more than 70 never seen in Australia.

NGV International will host a blockbuster exhibition of French Impressionism master works by Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh in June.

The Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition, announced on Monday, features works by

Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Camille Pissarro, Mary Cassatt from the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

NGV director Tony Ellwood says the French Impressionism from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston exhibition is a coup for Melbourne. Picture: Tim Carrafa.

“It’s extraordinary to think we’re the city they wanted to work with,” NGV director Tony Ellwood said.

“The whole world would compete for an exhibition like this. I think there’s something that will make people proud to know our city, Melbourne, got it.”

Claude Monet‘s Water Lilies 1905 will come to Melbourne from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

The exhibition comprises 110 works, 79 of them never before seen in Australia.

“We do exhibitions in the winter that are very inclusive, and very popular in their appeal,” Mr Ellwood said.

“I don’t think there’s ever been a better time to bring the community together. French Impressionism, from one of the world’s great collections, appeals to all age groups. It’s accessible, it’s very beautiful, it’s work of real quality.”

The exhibition will feature big-name impressionist artists including Paul Cézanne, whose The Pond will be among works coming to Melbourne from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Mr Ellwood said the exhibition spoke to post-COVID times.

“These artists were radicals in their time, but they also wanted to talk about nature and beauty and society,” he said.

“They’re the things we care about right now, so it’s a nice connection.”

The French Impressionism from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston exhibition will run at NGV International from June 4 to October 3.