The National Gallery showcases four very individual artists to explore impressionism in an Australian context – in the first UK exhibition of its kind. But what have critics said about it?
The Guardian: *** “Australia’s Impressionists feels counterintuitive, to begin with. Anyone who thinks they are going to get dappled light on Bondi beach should be advised that a disappointing number of works depict Europe”
The Upcoming: **** “None of the artists on show in the exhibition is well known outside Australia. To put on an exhibition of their work in the National Gallery over the Christmas period is a daring and admirable move.”
The Financial Times: “As a story of connections and identities, this show is a pertinent, unexpected contribution.”
Culture Whisper: **** “Forget Monet and Degas: this National Gallery exhibition serves up Impressionism with a dose of sunburn.”
The Telegraph: **** “So much about Australia’s Impressionists, a new exhibition at the National Gallery, takes you by surprise.”
Evening Standard: **** “This is a fascinating exhibition whose small size — there are only about 40 paintings and some are merely a few inches high — is countered by an explosively interesting theme.”
The exhibition showcases the work of four artists (Tom Roberts, Arthur Streeton, Charles Conder, and John Russell) to reveal how impressionism in the Australian context is closely related to yet distinct from European impressionism.
It features works which are on loan from some of Australia’s leading museums and private collections, with many of which have never been seen in the UK before.
This exhibition aims to put a different perspective on impressionism and how it was understood at the time as an international phenomenon.
Australia’s Impressionists is on display at the National Gallery until the 26th March 2017. For more information and to book tickets visit: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/australias-impressionists.