Art and architecture entwine at The National Gallery of Victoria’s current Winter Masterpieces exhibition, where breathtaking paintings enrich stunning interiors for the reimagined French Impressionism from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Pictured: Basix linen Table range in Moro and Fog.
In partnership with the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston, NGV’s French Impressionism showcases over 100 works from Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Camille Pissarro, Mary Cassatt, Berthe Morisot and more in one of the largest and most significant collections of French Impressionism ever to visit Australia. Presented throughout the iconic Melbourne building, the exhibition offers a rare second chance for Australian audiences to view the collection after it was closed shortly after its original opening in 2021 due to the pandemic.
Pictured: Flocca linen bed range in Floss and Cep, with Kristine Pillowcase in Floss.
The hallmarks of this revolutionary movement – distinctive brushwork, sun-dappled scenes and exquisite use of color – culminate in a rich and immersive experience.
Each meticulously designed space intends to recreate the stately Bostonian rooms of the 19th century where the well-travelled artworks were once proudly displayed, replete with parquet flooring, columns, chequered tiles, potted ferns and Italian marble statues. The NGV team collaborated with passionate local artisans to create decorative elements for each room, including custom-designed rugs by Godfrey Hirst in Geelong, antique furniture sourced by Leonard Joel Auctions, and traditional drapes and swags crafted by Curtainmaker in Box Hill.
A highlight is the light and airy, lilac-accented gallery where 16 of the exhibition’s 19 Monet canvases are presented together in one space, taking the viewer on a journey along the Normandy and Mediterranean coastlines and to the artist’s beloved garden in Giverny. Painted over 30 years, these works illustrate Monet’s use of the then-radical method of painting en plein air (‘in the open air’) to capture nature’s ever-changing light.
MFA Boston’s significant trove benefited from the collecting efforts of individual Bostonians, some of whom visited the artists in France during the movement's heyday. “Their collection has the unique ability to narrate the entire trajectory of the Impressionist movement – from its precursors to its zenith – with rich detail and nuance,” says NGV director Tony Ellwood AM. “French Impressionism from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston offers Australians a rare opportunity to view 100 timeless masterpieces in person and experience first-hand the bold brushwork and vivid colors synonymous with these artists.”
Pictured: Flocca linen bed range in Mare, Nox, Brun, Sable and Armee.
Alongside the exhibition, the NGV design store offers a carefully curated range that celebrates a purposeful approach to materials and making, with collaborations featuring leading contemporary work by artists and designers from around the world. We are thrilled to be part of the French Impressionism collection, with the rich and timeless palette of our handcrafted pure linen complementing this awe-inspiring exhibition.
For further information, visit ngv.vic.gov.au.
