Must see

The collection

There are of course many more masterpieces here in the National Gallery of Australia, which has the largest collection of art in Australia. Owned by all Australians, the national collection has a most comprehensive holding of Australian art and a strong focus on Indian and Southeast Asian art and Pacific arts, as well as 20th-century international art.

Take the opportunity to discover, or rediscover, the national collection.

Claude Monet’s Haystacks, midday and Waterlilies

GROUND LEVEL,
Moderns

Two fine examples of Monet's revolutionary approach to capturing the effect of changing light.

Claude Monet Haystacks, midday 1890
National Gallery of Australia Purchased 1979

Jackson Pollock’s Blue poles

GROUND LEVEL,
Abstract Expressionism

A masterpiece of 20th-century abstract art and arguably the most famous work in the Gallery's collection.

Jackson Pollock Blue poles 1952
National Gallery of Australia Purchased 1973 © Pollock-Krasner Foundation. Licensed by ARS & VISCOPY, Australia

The sacred bull, Nandi

GROUND LEVEL,
Indian and Southeast Asian art

This superb example of early Indian art is the only significant sculpture of the popular Hindu image in an Australian public collection.

Chola dynasty (9th–13th centuries) The sacred bull Nandi, vehicle of Shiva 11th–12th century
National Gallery of Australia Purchased with the assistance of Roslyn Packer AO, 2009

Ambum stone

LEVEL 1
Melanesian art

The 3500-year-old Ambum stone is one of the oldest works in the national collection.

Papua New Guinea, Western Highlands, Ambum Valley The Ambum stone c 1500 BCE
National Gallery of Australia Purchased 1977

 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Galleries

LEVEL 1

Ten new galleries dedicated to the display of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art.

Image above: Ramingining Artists The Aboriginal Memorial 1987–88, National Gallery of Australia

Arthur Streeton's Golden summer, Eaglemont

LEVEL 2
Australian impressionism

Enjoy this evocative depiction of the Australian landscape by this significant Australian Impressionist.

Arthur Streeton Golden summer, Eaglemont 1889
National Gallery of Australia Purchased 1995

Australian Art

LEVEL 2

From pre-colonial to the present, a must see is the National Gallery's Australia art collection covering all aspects of our rich culture.

Sculpture

LOWER GROUND LEVEL,
National Australia Bank Sculpture Gallery & outside, near Lake Burley Griffin

The grand National Australia Bank Sculpture Gallery includes Constantin Brancusi's sublime Birds in space and other great contemporary works. Outside in the Sculpture Garden enjoy works by Auguste Rodin and other international and Australian artists.

Constantin Brancusi Bird in space c1931–36
National Gallery of Australia Purchased 1973 © Constantin Brancusi. Licensed by ADAGP & VISCOPY, Australia

James Turrell's Within without

AUSTRALIAN GARDEN
south side of the gallery

James Turrell's Within without A monumental installation using light, set into the new Australian Garden, with a special light cycle at dawn and dusk.

Collection tours

Daily at 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 2.30pm
(closed Christmas day)