The National Gallery of Victoria is celebrating Bastille Day Saturday 14 July, by offering visitors $10 tickets to Napoleon: Revolution to Empire from 5pm to midnight.
Dr Gerard Vaughan, Director, NGV said: “There’s no denying that Melburnians have a strong appetite for all things French and with the generous support of the City of Melbourne we are excited to be celebrating this significant historical anniversary, in a year when our major exhibition covers the French Revolution, with one of the most famous pictures of the Storming of the Bastille a highlight of the show.”
Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said the celebrations planned at the NGV for Bastille Day were a wonderful idea that the City of Melbourne was proud to support.
“What better way to celebrate the most important national holiday in France than a late night opening of this world class exhibition.
“When we bring people into the city late at night to events and exhibitions such as Napoleon, we are activating the city in a way that changes the culture of the city late at night, making it not only livelier but safer as well.
“I encourage Melburnians and visitors to the city to take part in the festivities at the NGV on Bastille Day and experience the great story of Napoleon,” said the Lord Mayor.
Visitors to the NGV during the evening will enjoy free live entertainment with performances by French musicians The Swinging Rendez-Vous, the ten piece high energy ensemble The Cairo Club Orchestra and the Swing Patrol dancers. Throughout the evening tours, talks and family friendly activities will also be held.
NGV Collection galleries on Ground Level, Level 1 and Level 2 where the NGV’s famous French Impressionist works are on currently on display will be open for visitors to view for free.
Delectable delights, including crepes and pastries, cheeses and wines, will be available from Gallery Kitchen, The Tea Room and a temporary bar in Federation Court.
The storming of the Bastille Prison on 14 July 1789 marked the first decisive intervention of ordinary people against the ancien régime.
Napoleon: Revolution to Empire opens at the pivotal moment in French history when the ancien régime was on the cusp of being overthrown.
World-renowned portraits of some of history’s most recognised figures – Marie Antoinette, Louis XVI and the Revolutionary leader Jean-Paul Marat – are on display alongside Revolutionary battle scenes and depictions of the Reign of Terror, reflecting the social and political turmoil of this time. Of special interest is a lock of Louis XVI’s hair, cut just before his beheading by guillotine in January 1793.
For full event information on NGV’s Bastille Day celebrations visit ngv.vic.gov.au.
Tickets available at Ticketmaster or in person at NGV. $10 exhibition tickets available until sold out. Booking fees apply for online and telephone bookings.
Exclusive to Melbourne, Napoleon: Revolution to Empire will only be shown at the National Gallery of Victoria this winter.
Bastille Day events at the NGV have been generously supported by the City of Melbourne.
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Tourism Victoria
City of Melbourne
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The Age
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Ernst & Young
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