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Geelong Gallery Makes History with Groundbreaking Impressionist Exhibition

A once-in-a-lifetime showcase brings Monet, Renoir and the hidden stars of Impressionism to Geelong for an Australian debut.

This winter, Geelong is set to become the epicentre of the art world as Geelong Gallery unveils what promises to be the most ambitious exhibition in its 130-year history. Discovering the Impressionists: Paul Durand-Ruel, art dealer among the artists opens on 20 June and runs until 11 October 2026, bringing a dazzling collection of over 70 works, many never before seen in Australia, into the heart of regional Victoria.

Discovering the Impressionists: Paul Durand-Ruel, art dealer among the artists

When: 20 June – 11 October 2026
Where: Geelong Gallery, 55 Little Malop Street

Keep up to date with all things arts, exhibitions and stage here.

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A landmark moment for the gallery, this blockbuster exhibition presented in partnership with ArtExhibitions Australia and ACPA Advising Curating Producing Art, spans five galleries, showcasing two generations of Impressionist artists, from household names like Monet, Renoir, Berthe Morisot, and Camille Pissarro to a second wave of painters long overshadowed by their illustrious predecessors, including Albert André, Georges d’Espagnat, Gustave Loiseau, Maxime Maufra, and Henry Moret, with over 70 works on display.

At the core of the exhibition is the extraordinary legacy of Paul Durand-Ruel (1831–1922), the visionary Parisian art dealer whose unwavering support for Impressionism transformed the global art world. When the movement was scorned by the establishment, Durand-Ruel invested in these radical artists, buying and promoting over 12,000 paintings and nurturing their careers, ultimately ensuring that Impressionism would be celebrated for generations.

“This Gallery was built on Impressionism,” said Humphrey Clegg, Director and CEO of Geelong Gallery. “Our very first acquisition, Frederick McCubbin’s A Bush Burial in 1900, was an Australian Impressionist work, and the movement has shaped our Collection ever since. For our 130th year we wanted to do something worthy of that legacy — and Discovering the Impressionists is exactly that. It is the most ambitious exhibition in our history, and one I believe will genuinely surprise Australian audiences.”

Highlights include rare decorative panels by André and d’Espagnat, originally painted for Durand-Ruel’s private Paris apartment, alongside a partial recreation of his drawing room, where he welcomed esteemed collectors and displayed the finest works from his collection. Visitors will witness first and second generation works side by side, revealing the shared fascination with light and atmosphere that defined Impressionism, while appreciating the distinct styles of individual artists.

“Supporting Discovering the Impressionists through the Geelong Major Events Committee underscores our commitment to bringing major cultural events to the region. It’s amazing for our community to host exhibitions of this calibre that also attract visitors, boost local business and reinforce Geelong’s standing as a vibrant creative hub,” added Geelong Major Events Committee chair Cr Andrew Katos.

The exhibition has been assembled by two of the world’s foremost authorities on Impressionism: Marianne Mathieu, former Scientific Director of the Musée Marmottan Monet, and Claire Durand-Ruel, great-granddaughter of Paul Durand-Ruel. Exhibition design, a collaboration between Mathieu and Peter King Studio, creators of major productions for the NGV and Bendigo Art Gallery, ensures the story of the art and its champion is told with dramatic clarity and elegance.

Never before toured outside Europe and the United Kingdom, Discovering the Impressionists offers Australian audiences a rare encounter with works of staggering beauty and historical significance. It is an unmissable opportunity to understand how one man’s conviction shaped the course of modern French painting well into the 20th century.

This winter, Geelong Gallery promises more than an exhibition. It offers a rare glimpse into the passion, vision, and audacity that gave the world one of its most beloved art movements. Discovering the Impressionists is not just a show; it is a cultural event that regional Victoria, and indeed all of Australia, will be talking about for years to come.

Tickets go on sale at from now, at 11am (AEDT) Thursday 19 March. Adult tickets are $29, concessions $25, children $15, and gallery members $22. Seniors are invited to enjoy a special Tuesday rate of $25.

For tickets and further information, visit geelonggallery.org.au.