9 December 2015

To welcome in the New Year and celebrate its critically acclaimed exhibition The Greats: masterpieces from the National Galleries of Scotland, the Art Gallery of New South Wales hosts a series of free evening events – Up late with The Greats – on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays during January 2016.

The Greats presents one of the most significant collections of European old master paintings ever seen in Australia. The unmissable exhibition spans a period of 400 years from the Renaissance to Impressionism and features works by the most outstanding names in Western art, including Botticelli, Leonardo, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Monet, Degas, Gauguin and Cézanne.

Join us on Wednesday evenings for a special edition of Art After Hours as TV personality and comedian Hannah Gadsby gets serious about art history. Taking off her comedy hat and putting on her serious art scarf, Hannah hosts a series of talks, sharing everything she knows about the great eras of Western art. With a different theme each week, Hannah says, “This is not stand-up comedy. IT WILL BE VERY SERIOUS. It will be very silly. SERIOUSLY.”

Wednesday nights will also feature live music from ARIA award winning Sydney band Monsieur Camembert, plus a range of guided exhibition tours and our free European classics film program.

On Thursday evenings the Gallery’s entrance court transforms into The great drawing salon for beginners and experienced artists alike. Take inspiration from the exquisite craftsmanship on display in The Greats and sketch away to the sounds of classical music. All materials are provided and artists will be on hand to share tips.

Take a musical journey through Europe on Friday nights as members of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra perform free classical musical recitals. Each recital presents fascinating insights into the instruments, composers and music of a particular period. The music has been selected in response to the artworks featured in The Greats. Recitals begin at 6.30pm sharp, with limited seating, so don’t delay.

Up late with The Greats also features a bespoke beer inspired by The Greats from the team at Sydney brewery Young Henrys. Light snacks and other cool drinks are also available.

Visitors preferring a full dining experience can book into CHISWICK at the Gallery for dinner on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights.

Opening hours

Wednesdays: Until 10pm. The entire Gallery, including the cafe and CHISWICK at the Gallery, will be open.

Thursdays and Fridays: Until 10pm. The Greats exhibition plus gallery spaces on the ground level and CHISWICK at the Gallery will be open. (The rest of the Gallery, including the cafe, will be closed.)

More information on The Greats

Full program

Wed 6 Jan
Celebrity talk: The Great Gadsby series, 6.30-7pm
Hannah Gadsby considers the Italian highlights of The Greats and sheds light on the Renaissance, asking all the big questions such as: why is the nativity a dance party?

Live music: Monsieur Camembert, 7.30-8.30pm
Groove the night away with Triple ARIA Award winning band, Monsieur Camembert. Their unique blend of Gypsy rock and World Music styles provides visitors a truly original and energetic experience.

Film program: European Cinema Classics, 7.15pm
Macbeth, directed by Roman Polanski (1971), 140 mins, rated M.

Guided tour: The Greats: masterpieces from the National Galleries of Scotland, 7.15pm
Meet at the exhibition entrance for this highlights tour.

Thur 7 Jan
The great drawing salon, 5-9pm
Drop into our group drawing session and sketch away to the sounds of classical music. All materials provided with artists on hand to share tips and give advice.

Fri 8 Jan
Music recital: Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, 6.30-7.30pm
Members of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra perform music from the Renaissance to Baroque period. Recitals begin at 6.30pm sharp, seating limited.

Wed 13 Jan
Celebrity talk: The Great Gadsby series, 6.30-7pm
Hannah Gadsby takes a look at the Dutch Golden age and notes that it is probably better described as the Super Duper Detailed Scenes in Brown Paint Age.

Live music: Monsieur Camembert, 7.30-8.30pm
Groove the night away with triple ARIA award winning band Monsieur Camembert. Their unique blend of gypsy rock and world music styles provides visitors a truly original and energetic experience.

Film program: European cinema classics, 7.15pm
The seventh seal, directed by Ingmar Bergman (1957), 96 mins, Rated PG. Swedish with English subtitles.

Guided tour: The Greats: masterpieces from the National Galleries of Scotland, 7.15pm
Meet at the exhibition entrance for this highlights tour.

Thur 14 Jan
The great drawing salon, 5-9pm
Drop into our group drawing session and sketch away to the sounds of classical music. All materials provided with artists on hand to share tips and give advice.

Friday 15 Jan
Music recital: Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, 6.30-7.30pm
Members of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra perform pieces from the Renaissance to Baroque period. Recitals begin at 6.30pm sharp, seating limited.

Wed 20 Jan
Celebrity talk: The Great Gadsby series, 6.30-7pm
Hannah Gadsby spotlights the French academy, and celebrates powdered wigs, hypocritical morality and lead-based makeup. This talk is Auslan interpreted for deaf and hearing-impaired visitors.

Live music: Monsieur Camembert, 7.30-8.30pm
Groove the night away with triple ARIA award winning band Monsieur Camembert. Their unique blend of gypsy rock and world music styles provides visitors a truly original and energetic experience.

Film program: European cinema classics, 7.15pm
Aguirre: the wrath of God, directed Werner Herzog (1972), 94 mins, rated PG, German with English subtitles

Guided tour: The Greats: masterpieces from the National Galleries of Scotland, 7.15pm
Meet at the exhibition entrance for this highlights tour.

Thur 21 Jan
The great drawing salon, 5-9pm
Drop into our group drawing session and sketch away to the sounds of classical music. All materials provided with artists on hand to share tips and give advice.

Fri 22 Jan
Music recital: Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, 6.30-7.30pm
Members of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra perform pieces from the Classical to Romantic period. Recitals begin at 6.30pm sharp, seating limited.

Wed 27 Jan
Celebrity talk: The Great Gadsby series, 6.30-7pm
Hannah Gadsby ponders modern art – the cruel tormentor of old ladies and middle-aged bogan men.

Live music: Monsieur Camembert, 7.30-8.30pm
Groove the night away with triple ARIA award winning band Monsieur Camembert. Their unique blend of gypsy rock and world music styles provides visitors a truly original and energetic experience.

Film program: European cinema classics, 7.15pm
The acompanist, directed by Claude Miller (1992), 102 mins, rated PG, French with English subtitles.

Guided tour: The Greats: masterpieces from the National Galleries of Scotland, 7.15pm
Meet at the exhibition entrance for this highlights tour.

Thurs 28 Jan
The great drawing salon, 5-9pm
Drop into our group drawing session and sketch away to the sounds of classical music. All materials provided with artists on hand to share tips and give advice.

Fri 29 Jan
Music recital: Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, 6.30-7.30pm
Members of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra perform pieces from the Classical to Romantic period. Recitals begin at 6.30pm sharp, seating limited.