Masterpieces from The Met, New York

 

Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) was the exclusive Australian venue for the major exhibition ‘European Masterpieces from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York’. This was an extraordinary opportunity to experience these important works from one of the finest collections of European painting in the world, the majority of which rarely leave permanent display in New York.

The exhibition presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in which The Met — during the renovation of their galleries for European paintings — could share these masterpieces with the people in Australia. Max Hollein, Director of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

‘European Masterpieces’ included portraiture, still-life, landscape and figure studies and was a must-see for art-lovers and anyone with an interest in history, society, beauty, religious iconography, mythology and symbolism.

LIST OF WORKS: Discover all the artworks

DELVE DEEPER: More about the artists and exhibition

THE STUDIO: Artworks come to life

WATCH: The Met Curators highlight their favourite works

Caravaggio

Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi), Italy 1571–1610 / The Musicians 1597 / Oil on canvas / 92.1 x 118.4cm / Rogers Fund, 1952 / 52.81 / Collection: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Beginning in the 1420s, with a finely painted, emotionally charged altarpiece panel, The Crucifixion by Fra Angelico, and ending in 1919 with one of Monet’s late Water Lilies, a precursor to abstraction, ‘European Masterpieces’ is a remarkable survey of 500 years of European art featuring 65 paintings charting Western art history’s most iconic movements including Titian’s Venus and Adonis 1550s, Caravaggio’s The Musicians 1597, Rembrandt’s Flora c.1654, Vermeer’s Allegory of the Catholic Faith c.1670–72, Turner’s Venice, from the Porch of Madonna della Salute c.1835, van Gogh’s The Flowering Orchard 1888, Renoir’s A Young Girl with Daisies 1889, Degas’ Dancers, Pink and Green c.1890, and Cézanne’s Still Life with Apples and Pears c.1891–92.

Fra Angelico

Fra Angelico (Guido di Pietro), Italy c.1395–1455 / The Crucifixion c.1420–23 / Tempera on wood, gold ground / 63.8 x 48.3cm / Maitland F Griggs Collection, Bequest of Maitland F Griggs, 1943 / 43.98.5 / Collection: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Monet

Claude Monet, France 1840–1926 / Water Lilies 1916–19 / Oil on canvas / 130.2 x 200.7cm / Gift of Louise Reinhardt Smith 1983 / 1983.532 / Collection: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

The exhibition traces the development of art and artists from a time when creativity was closely controlled through the patronage of church and state, to a period in which our contemporary idea of the independent artist was born. As this superbly representative historical account of European painting makes clear, artistic innovation – seen in works of art that have challenged and sometimes changed the world – is far from an invention of our time.

Titian

Titian (Tiziano Vecellio), Italy c.1485/90–1576 / Venus and Adonis 1550s / Oil on canvas / 106.7 x 133.4cm / The Jules Bache Collection, 1949 / 49.7.16 / Collection: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Rembrandt

Rembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn), The Netherlands 1606–69 / Flora c.1654 / Oil on canvas / 100 x 91.8cm / Gift of Archer M Huntington, in memory of his father, Collis Potter Huntington, 1926 / 26.101.10 / Collection: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh, The Netherlands 1853–90 / The Flowering Orchard 1888 / Oil on canvas / 72.4 x 53.3cm / The Mr and Mrs Henry Ittleson Jr Purchase Fund, 1956 / 56.13 / Collection: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Cézanne

Paul Cézanne, France 1839–1906 / Still Life with Apples and Pears c.1891–92 / Oil on canvas / 44.8 x 58.7cm / Bequest of Stephen C Clark, 1960 / 61.101.3 / Collection: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

The Studio

For the duration of ‘European Masterpieces from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York’ enter The Studio, located within the exhibition space. The Studio offers an array of experiences whether through multimedia interactives or opportunities to draw from life. An immersive theatrical experience will transport you to historical Europe through the exhibition’s themes in distinct zones and vignettes. Draw using supplied materials and take inspiration from their surroundings to create your own work.

A costumed model recreates a scene from Johannes Vermeer, The Netherlands 1632–75 / Allegory of the Catholic Faith c.1670–72 / Oil on canvas / 114.3 x 88.9cm / The Friedsam Collection, Bequest of Michael Friedsam, 1931 / 32.100.18 / Collection: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Johannes Vermeer, The Netherlands 1632–75 / Allegory of the Catholic Faith c.1670–72 / Oil on canvas / 114.3 x 88.9cm / The Friedsam Collection, Bequest of Michael Friedsam, 1931 / 32.100.18 / Collection: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

‘European Masterpieces’ publication

The full-colour 240pp hardback publication European Masterpieces from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York was available in two special cover editions — either Caravaggio’s The Musicians 1597 (illustrated) or Marie Denise Villers with Marie Joséphine Charlotte du Val d’Ognes 1801.


This Australian-exclusive exhibition was at Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art from 12 June until 17 October 2021 and organised by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, in collaboration with the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art and Art Exhibitions Australia.

Featured image detail: Titian (Tiziano Vecellio), Italy c.1485/90–1576 / Venus and Adonis 1550s / Oil on canvas / 106.7 x 133.4cm / The Jules Bache Collection, 1949 / 49.7.16 / Collection: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
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Comments

  1. Please Can you tell me if the General public can still view these paintings on the 17th Oct?

  2. Hi Wendy. Indeed. We have an early opening from 9.30am – 5.00pm on the closing weekend Sat 16 & Sun 17 October with free Translink Travel. If you have a pre-purchased ticket to ‘European Masterpieces’ you can travel free to and from GOMA on the closing weekend of the exhibition. Plan your journey across all regular network-wide buses and Queensland Rail City Network trains (excluding Brisbane City Council Ferries and Airtrain services). Free travel is between the hours of 6.00am to 9.00pm on both Sat 16 and Sun 17 October. Pre-purchased tickets need to be shown to drivers or ticket inspectors. We hope this helps, Regards QAGOMA

  3. Could you please inform me if I can purchase the catalogue for the met masters exhibition please? Will you do a rerun? I am happy to have it posted. Thank you

  4. Hi Sandi. Thank you for your inquiry. Unfortunately the publication ‘European Masterpieces from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York’ is unavailable as it has just recently sold out. Apologies, QAGOMA

  5. Hi, reading the above that publications have sold out, does this mean that my pre-purchase of a Caravaggio cover is also not available? I’m hoping that pre-paid sales have been placed aside for collection. Thank you.

  6. What is the least busiest time to see the European Masterpieces this last week of exhibition?

  7. Hi Jennifer. In light of current COVID-capacity restrictions, we can only allow a certain number of people to enter at once. Due to the popularity of this blockbuster exhibition, wait times are longer than usual. It is in the nature of blockbuster exhibitions that visitors will need to queue. We could suggest be here early for opening at 9:30am or wait until after lunch. Regards QAGOMA

  8. Hi,are there any mobility scooters or wheelchairs available for use.

    Thanks

  9. Hi Jacqueline. Wheelchairs are available free of charge for use during a QAGOMA visit. To secure a booking for a wheelchair, please contact the Information Desk between 10am and 5pm on 3840 7303. Regards QAGOMA

  10. Hi Mel, yes all pre-purchased publications have been set aside at the exhibition pop-up shop until the end of the exhibition. If you are unable to collect your copy by end of Sunday 17 October when the shop closes, please contact the Gallery Store on 3840 7290. Regards QAGOMA

  11. I have pre purchased tickets for the closing weekend but require 1 more. Is this possible to buy online or will we need to queue?
    I have heard if you join the gallery it allows you gain entry easily…

  12. Hi Melanie, tickets are now only available to purchase onsite at GOMA between 9.30am – 4.00pm on the day of entry. Online sales are no longer available for the last week of the exhibition. See our ticket information page for ticket prices and more https://www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/whats-on/exhibitions/european-masterpieces/ticket-information. In light of current COVID-capacity restrictions, we can only allow a certain number of people to enter at once. Due to the popularity of this blockbuster exhibition, wait times are longer than usual. There is a separate queue for Members that tends to move more quickly than the general admission queue however Non-members will need to join the general admission queue. If you are interested in becoming a QAGOMA Member prior to your visit, please find further information here: https://www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/support/membership/join-renew. If you have any questions please contact Membership on 3840 7278. We hope this helps. Regards QAGOMA

  13. Hi Just checking does this show finish today or was it extended until end of year? I am in Maryborough Qld and thought it ran longer. Rgds Susan

  14. Hi Susan. The ‘European Masterpieces’ exhibition closes 7pm tonight. Unfortunately it was not able to be extended. Regards QAGOMA

  15. Hi Paula. The exhibition ‘European Masterpieces’ is a Brisbane exclusive. Unfortunately after tonight it will be packed up and sent back to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Regards QAGOMA

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