Agnolo Bronzino Duke Cosimo I de' Medici in armour early 1540s. Art Gallery of New South Wales Foundation Purchase 1996
 

Anselm Kiefer Glaube, Hoffnung, Liebe (Faith, hope, love) 1984-86. © Anselm Kiefer. Mervyn Horton Bequest Fund 1987

The International Department spans European art before 1900, modern international art and international contemporary art.

The core of the European collection before 1900 is a group of important British paintings from the 19th century including works by Ford Madox Brown, Frederic Leighton and Edward Poynter which were among the Gallery's first purchases. With the addition of other successful acquisitions of British paintings, the Gallery now boasts one of the major holdings of Victorian art outside the United Kingdom. This part of the collection is now being enlarged thanks to the assistance of John Schaeffer whose donation will be dedicated to buying more important Victorian pictures.

Since the generous benefaction of James Fairfax, the collection of Old Masters from the Netherlandish, French and Italian schools has been greatly enhanced and includes exceptional works by Watteau, Fragonard and Ingres.

The collecting policy is to build on existing strengths. The Department is particularly keen to add to its holdings of earlier Italian and Netherlandish schools, 19th century French painting and drawings related to paintings in the collection. In addition to the areas mentioned, the department concentrates on various areas of European print making in specific periods.

International modernism is currently underrepresented in the collection and there is an on-going need to enhance the Gallery holdings of major modernist movements.

For more information contact:
The Head Curator of International Art (02) 9225 1786, or
The Business Development Coordinator (02) 9225 1746

Download the Foundation Application Form (PDF, 60 KB)

(The Art Gallery of New South Wales Foundation is the Gallery’s major acquisition fund and umbrella organisation for all Gallery benefactor groups.)