In a world where art speaks louder than words, the 2025 presentation of the French Impressionism exhibition at the NGV is set to be an unmissable event for art enthusiasts and curious minds alike.
Originally unveiled in 2021 but quickly shuttered by the pandemic, this exhibition offers Australians a second chance to dive into an ocean of artistic rebellion and beauty, featuring one of the most significant collections of French Impressionism ever to grace our shores.
On loan from the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, this collection charts the daring trajectory of the late-nineteenth-century movement that shook the art world to its core. These French Impressionists had a flair for the dramatic, boldly rejecting the rigid conventions of the state-sponsored Salon to showcase their ‘impressionistic’ masterpieces independently. This exhibition captures that spirit of defiance and innovation, inviting visitors to explore the thoughts and musings of the artists themselves, preserved in letters, journals, and articles. Through their words, the exhibition reveals the intricate web of social connections, artistic inspirations, and personal rivalries that united this band of creative mavericks.
The exhibition design is nothing short of a masterpiece itself—an immersive experience that transports audiences into the vibrant world of Impressionism. With its distinctive brushwork, striking use of colour, and unique perspectives, the exhibition takes you on a visual journey to the beloved locales of the artists, such as the bustling streets of Paris, the serene Fontainebleau Forest, and the idyllic gardens of Giverny. It’s like strolling through a gallery, except the gallery is alive with the colours and sensations of a bygone era.
One of the show-stopping highlights is a spectacular display of 16 of Claude Monet’s canvases, all in one breathtaking gallery. These works span three decades and capture Monet’s favourite scenes, from the scenic Normandy coast to the lush landscapes of Argenteuil and his iconic garden in Giverny. As you stand before these masterpieces, you witness the full arc of Monet’s monumental contribution to the Impressionist movement.
But Monet isn’t the only star of the show. The exhibition also delves into the early works of Monet’s forebears, including Eugène Boudin and the Barbizon School painters, whose daring en plein air techniques profoundly influenced Monet’s own approach to capturing nature’s shifting moods. The careers of Renoir, with his experimental pictorial effects in the 1880s, and Pissarro, a pivotal mentor to many, are also explored in depth, offering a comprehensive look at this groundbreaking movement.
The MFA Boston’s collection wouldn’t be what it is without the keen eyes of individual Bostonians who, during the height of the Impressionist movement, ventured to France to meet with the artists themselves. Their discerning tastes and friendships with the artists helped shape this remarkable collection, now showcased in a reimagined exhibition design that draws inspiration from late nineteenth-century East Coast American and European interiors.
This 2025 presentation is more than just an exhibition; it’s a time machine whisking you back to a period of artistic revolt and innovation. It’s a unique opportunity to gain insights into the lives and works of artists who dared to paint the world as they saw it, capturing fleeting moments with brushstrokes that changed art history forever. So, mark your calendar and prepare to be enlightened, inspired, and utterly captivated by the world of French Impressionism at the NGV.
French Impressionism | NGV International | 6 June – 5 October 2025 | Admission fees apply
French Impressionism, presented by the National Gallery of Victoria in partnership with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, is on display 6 June to 5 October 2025 at NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Further information is available via the NGV website.??