Masterpieces from the Hermitage: The Legacy of Catherine the Great

Get to Melbourne to explore an extraordinary exhibition with works by Rembrandt, Titian and Velázquez – then explore the vibrant surrounding areas of Southbank and South Melbourne

THE EXHIBITION

In the early 1700s Russia is an insular, practically medieval country. That is, until Catherine the Great comes to power, following the assassination of her unpopular husband Peter, and a golden age dawns. In her determination to drag Russia into the Enlightenment, Catherine, who reigned 1762-1796, began importing Western art and ideas. “Catherine inherited a grand building called the Winter Palace,” explains Ted Gott, senior curator of international art at the National Gallery of Victoria, “but it didn’t have any painting galleries. So she set about commissioning two huge buildings to house her collections, attached to the Winter Palace [in St Petersburg].” Masterpieces from the Hermitage: The Legacy of Catherine the Great features more than 500 works taken from Catherine’s personal collection of over 2,000. Highlights include four Rembrandts (such as the beautifully intimate ‘Young Woman Trying on Earrings’ [1657]), as well as works by Titian, Velázquez and Rubens. Marvel at Flemish artist Frans Snyders’ ‘Concert of Birds’ (1630-40) and do a double take at ‘Female Nude’ (early 16th century) by the school of Leonardo Da Vinci. Like many art collectors, Catherine had her fair share of eccentricities. In the first room of the exhibition, a jewel-encrusted, 60-piece porcelain Cameo Service (dinner set), which Catherine commissioned for her lover Prince Grigory Potemkin, sheds light on her dining habits. This amazing, once-in-a lifetime show is exclusive to Melbourne. NGV International, 180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne 3006. 03 8620 2222. www.ngv.gov.au. Daily 10am-5pm. $10-$26. Until Nov 8.

LECTURE SERIES: PHILOSOPHY, LITERATURE & CATHERINE THE GREAT

In this series of four Sunday lectures, specialists of history, philosophy and literature explore Catherine’s reign through the lens of the philosophers and writers of the time. www.ngv.vic.gov.au. Sun 2pm. $16-$18 (per lecture), $59-$71 (series). Sep 6 & 20; Oct 4 & 18.

NEXT MONTH: FRIDAY NIGHTS AT NGV

Friday Nights gives visitors exclusive after-hours access to the exhibition plus live performances from Australian and international performers, DJs, pop-up talks and great food and dining experiences. Headliners are the Paul Grabowsky Trio ( Fri Oct 2); Jaakko Eino Kalevi ( Fri Oct 9); Glenn Richards ( Fri Oct 16); Gareth Liddiard ( Fri Oct 23); Laura Jean ( Fri Oct 30); and Underground Lovers ( Fri Nov 6).

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