NGV International

Overview

NGV International houses the National Gallery of Victoria's international art collection, spanning antiquity to contemporary. The brutalist building on St Kilda Road is an architectural icon by Sir Roy Grounds.

Highlights

• European Masters: Works by Rembrandt, Tiepolo, Canaletto, and the second-largest collection of Old Masters in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Asian Art Gallery: Extensive collection of Chinese, Japanese, and Southeast Asian art spanning 4,000 years.
• Water Wall Entrance: Leonard French's stained-glass ceiling and the signature water wall create a dramatic arrival sequence.

History

The current building opened in 1968 as part of the Victorian Arts Centre development. Italian architect Mario Bellini led a major renovation completed in 2003. The NGV collection dates to 1861, making it the oldest public art collection in Australia.

Visitor Tips

• Free Permanent Collection: Only blockbuster temporary exhibitions charge admission.
• NGV Friday Nights: Extended hours on Fridays with DJs, bars, and special programming.
• Duration: 1–2 hours.