Melbourne is full of wonderful museums. I was in the city recently and decided to pop into the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV).
The NGV has two locations. One is the Ian Potter Centre in Federation Square, which is a home for Australian art, presenting Indigenous and non-Indigenous art from the colonial period to the present day. It’s excellent and I highly recommend it. The other location is NGV International on St Kilda Road. NGV International houses collections from Europe, Asia, America, and Oceania. I had not been here before. It was an impromptu visit so I was armed only with my iPhone.
I had heard there is an excellent William Blake exhibit at NGV and it did not disappoint. What I didn’t know is there are also some fine antiquities, which I love.
A portion from <em>The Canterbury Tales<em> William Blake Thats the Wife of Bath prominently depicted Bragging rights Ive read this in the original Middle English<em>The Creation of Eve<em> William Blake<em>Time advancing and Time passing by<em> William Blake<em>Arise O Rintrah<em> William Blake<em>Satan before the Throne of God<em> from <em>Illustrations of the Book of Job<em> William Blake<em>The Harlot and the Giant<em> by Blake for Dantes <em>The Divine Comedy<em><em>Cerberus<em> by Blake from illustrations for <em>The Divine Comedy<em>Visitors looking at William Blakes <em>Illustrations of the Book of Job<em>Pieta Germany early 16th century polychromed limewoodMary St John and St Mary Magdalene Germany c 1470 polychromed limewoodSt Catherine Spain c 1350 limestoneSt Barbara France c 1420 oakThe Virgin attended by three holy women Antonio Begarelli Italian c 1530 earthenwareTlaloc the god of rain and Chicomecoatl the goddess of ripe maize Central Mexico Late Post Classic 1300 1521 stoneA collection of Greek and South Italian vases ranging from c 900 BC to the late fourth century BCEgypt head covering of Padihorpasheresat 1st centry 2nd century ADVarious antiquities from the Egyptian collectionStanding no more than two or three inches tall they may look like little toys but these are workers and servants for the deceased in the Egyptian afterlifeFrom the Egyptian collection
This is just a taste of the NGV, which also includes the work of Chinese video artist Wang Gongxin, an exhibit on mid-century modern furniture design in Australia, photography by Sue Ford, an extensive South and Southeast Asian collection, and a new exhibit on Italian Masterpieces from Spain’s Royal Court.
The NGV International is located at 180 St Kilda Road. It is open from 10am to 5pm and admission is free.
Have you been to the NGV or another Australian museum? What are your favourite museums?
A varied collection of images — I think the Greek and Italian vases spoke the loudest to me through my computer screen, although the Egyptian collection is a close second.
Hi there – its a great Gallery. As one ex-pat to another, do you find it little hard to comprehend that Victoria has a National Gallery??
Cheers – Stewart M – Melbourne
Ha! Yes, I thought the name was curious.
Haha, yes! I did think that was curious.
Amazing artworks in the museum.
It is a wonderful gallery. Thanks for stopping by!
Yes, it’s a great museum. Thanks for stopping by!
Wonderful photos, this museum looks very interesting.
It is lovely. Thanks for your comments! 🙂
It is! It was quite a nice surprise. Thanks for your comments!
Hi!I likeancient history. Very interesting post. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
A varied collection of images — I think the Greek and Italian vases spoke the loudest to me through my computer screen, although the Egyptian collection is a close second.
Yes, I love antiquities and I was surprised to discover the NGV has them. Thanks for your comments!