Iconic works by legendary artists Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Edgar Degas will dazzle Melbourne next year when the world-exclusive Melbourne Winter Masterpieces returns to the NGV
Announcing the return of the French Impressionism exhibition, Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks highlighted the importance of bringing globally significant exhibitions to Victoria. “Our Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series brings world-famous art to Victoria, giving local audiences the opportunity to see and experience masterpieces that rarely travel this far,” said Brooks.
Originally presented in 2021, the exhibition was cut short due to the pandemic. Now, it’s back in 2025 with a brand-new exhibition design, giving Australian audiences another chance to experience one of the most significant collections of French Impressionism to ever travel to Australia.
French Impressionism – 2025 Australian exhibition dates
- 6 June to 5 October 2025
- NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne
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Developed in partnership with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA) – an institution celebrated for its extensive collection of Impressionist works – this blockbuster exhibition will feature over 100 iconic paintings, including some works never before seen in Australia. NGV Director Tony Ellwood AM expressed excitement about bringing these masterpieces to Melbourne: “One of the core roles of the NGV as a public institution is to share art and culture with all Victorians – and we are delighted to be able to finally share the MFA Boston’s important collection with local audiences.”
The exhibition will showcase 19 breathtaking canvases by Claude Monet, spanning his travels through France, the Mediterranean, and his famous garden at Giverny. Visitors will also have the chance to explore the works of Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro, and other renowned Impressionists. The exhibition is set to attract art lovers of all ages.
Brooks also noted the economic impact of such global exhibitions: “Iconic, global exhibitions draw visitors from far and wide, injecting millions into our economy. French Impressionism is no exception, and we’re pleased to give this extraordinary exhibition the run it deserves.”
The Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series has attracted over seven million visitors to Victoria in the past 20 years, generating nearly $700 million for the state’s economy. NGV’s recent Pharaoh exhibition, for instance, drew more than 336,000 visitors.
French Impressionism is part of an exciting 2025 cultural calendar in Victoria, which also includes Beetlejuice The Musical, Frida Kahlo: In her own image at Bendigo Art Gallery, and the British & Irish Lions rugby tour.
For more information, visit ngv.melbourne.
