French Impressionism is host to arguably some of the most famous (and most loved) artists of all time. Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh and Degas are just some of the artists who achieved such acclaim that they remain household names even a century after their deaths. And this winter, you can see some of the artist's most beautiful and well-known works right here in Melbourne at the NGV's new exhibition, French Impressionism: From the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. Until October 5, the NGV will host more than 100 works by artists like Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edouard Manet, Camille Pissarro, Edgar Degas, Paul Cézanne and Mary Cassatt – including pieces never before seen in Australia.
July 2025: If you thought winter was a quiet time in Melbourne's art world, think again. The NGV Winter Masterpieces has just opened, and it provides a dazzling deep dive into the world of French Impressionism, with exclusive works by Monet, Degas, Van Gogh and Renoir direct from the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. Also at the NGV is Kimono, a beautiful exhibition that showcases the extraordinary range of the once-humble Japanese outfit. And the Potter Museum of Art has reopened after a major transformation with 65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art. It features more than 400 artworks from the likes of Destiny Deacon, Yhonnie Scarce, Albert Namatjira and Emily Kam Kngwarray, including rare cultural works.
There's always something to see in this all-embracing city of ours, so don't let the month pass you by without getting your fix of the best art, culture and exhibitions in Melbourne this May.
When in doubt, you can also always rely on our catch-all lists of Melbourne's best bars, restaurants, museums, parks and galleries, or consult our bucket list of 100 things to do in Melbourne before you die.