Italian Masterpieces

Exhibition from Spain’s Royal Court
Museo Del Prado

National Gallery of Victoria

Artworks from the 16th to 18th Century highlighting the work of some of the most famous and many possibly unknown artists to many Australians, of the period.

This collection reflects the taste of those who chose each piece over nearly two hundred years. Rather than reflecting the work of only one or two painters, or a particular style, this exhibition reflects the personalities and likes of the Spanish Royal court and their desire to own the best of Italian art through the Renaissance to the early Rococo period.

The NGV has put together and displayed a large array of drawings, etchings and paintings over seven rooms, which take the viewer on a journey of education and interest. I spent over two hours in the exhibition and could have stayed longer to explore the techniques and subjects covered in the over 105 artworks. Each room was a new amazing discovery for me, with at least one work that I had to investigate further because of the clear understanding of the human form, light and shade, colour and various applications of paint for texture shown by the artist.