‘Masterpieces from Paris’ Ends on a High in Canberra

The Tim Rogers Band perform at ‘Starry Nights’, an evening event hosted by the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra during the ‘Masterpieces from Paris’ exhibition – visit the NGA’s Facebook or Flickr pages for more of their photographs. @National Gallery of Australia

On Sunday evening, 5 pm local time, the doors finally closed at Canberra’s National Gallery of Australia on the ‘Masterpieces from Paris‘ exhibition. By all accounts, the exhibition closed on an incredible high for the Gallery.

Such was the demand to see the exhibition, that on 11 March the NGA announced that the closing date would be extended to 18 March. Not only were gallery opening hours extended, but the Gallery also used time ticketing to cut down on waiting times.

“It is very rare indeed to be able to extend an exhibition. To be allowed to keep these works of art in Canberra for an extra two weeks is marvellous and a unique opportunity.” Ron Radford, Director of the National Gallery of Australia, 11 March 2010.

Also, for the last weekend the exhibition was open for 32 hours leading up to the final closing time of 5 pm. Entertainment was laid on to ensure the exhibition went out with a bang.

‘Masterpieces from Paris: Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cézanne and Beyond’ featured 112 of some of the best-known works of modern art from the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, including Monet, Van Gogh, Cézanne and Gauguin.

It is said that this extraordinary exhibition is one of the most spectacular to come to Australia. ABC News reported on Saturday that over 430 000 people had already been to see the exhibition. The Exhibition now moves on to Japan and then San Francisco.

I have already posted a guest review of the exhibition by Michael Hill, but if any other MGN readers saw the exhibition, do please add your comments below.

Click on the links for the National Gallery of Australia’s Facebook Page and their Flickr Photostream.