Art News Blog

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  Masterpieces from Paris in Canberra

  Posted: 12-December-2009, 2:37am CET by Woopidoo

  Probably the best exhibition I have seen in Australia (coming from a fan of Vincent van Gogh and Paul Cezanne). Masterpieces from Paris has 9 Paul Gauguins, 7 Van Goghs and 8 Cezannes. So it's more than one or two good paintings thrown in with a bunch of weaker paintings like the usual "blockbuster" exhibition. The Van Goghs alone are worth making the effort to see the exhibition.
  
  It has been called the "most valuable collection of art ever to be exhibited in Australia."
  
  The works come from the Musee d'Orsay in Paris and will be on display at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra until April.
  
  
  Vincent van Gogh - Starry Night Over the Rhone
  I was surprised by how fresh this painting looks. For some reason I expected it to be smaller and duller than it really is. This painting was worth the 5 hour drive.
  
  
  Vincent van Gogh - Bedroom at Arles
  I thought this painting would be bigger. The Musée d'Orsay version of Vincent's bedroom is a little smaller than the first two versions that he did. Still a great painting.
  
  
  Vincent van Gogh - Portrait of the Artist
  The man himself.
  
  
  Paul Gauguin - Tahitian Women
  I probably should like Gauguin more than I do. He did some really good paintings but I don't think he comes close to Van Gogh or Cezanne. Having said that, I really liked seeing his paintings in the flesh.
  
  I would show some more works but the NGA website was down. In short, Masterpieces from Paris is a must see if you're an Australian. They're easily the best paintings in the country at the moment.