I was incredibly lucky to visit Canberra recently, for an exclusive first look at the National Gallery of Australia‘s new exhibition Monet: Impression Sunrise, starring the very painting that started the Impressionist movement! That work is Impression, Soleil levant (Impression, Sunrise), painted in 1872, and it’s the painting from which Impressionism takes its name.

Our relationship with The National Gallery of Australia has been going strong for a few years now, and we often have the opportunity to preview and document their major exhibitions, but this is one I was *especially* excited about!  Of course, Monet is widely known as the Father of the Impressionism, but this show isn’t a typical Impressionist exhibition, and is quite special for a number of reasons.

The exhibition thoughtfully examines how one of history’s greatest art movements really came about. It showcases Monet’s journey as a young artist, along with other significant artists he was influenced by, through to the iconic works he produced later in life, such as his garden and waterlily paintings. Through it all, Monet’s obsession with light, and his lifelong pursuit of capturing the intangible shines through. Watch our video above, for a brilliant insight into the show from NGA curator Simeran Maxwell!

Staged in a newly designed exhibition space at the NGA, the exhibition brings together 60 impressionist and related paintings from the Musée Marmottan Monet in Paris, the Tate, as well as the NGA’s own collections.

Monet: Impression Sunrise is on until September 1st. Secure your tickets here.

This film has been produced in collaboration with our video partners, SIRAP, with photographs by Amelia Stanwix.