Melbourne Masterclasses: The Life and Legacy of Catherine the Great

As a great patron of the arts, Catherine amassed an art collection over her thirty-four year reign comprising of Old Master paintings and contemporary art of the eighteenth century-a collection equal in scale and quality to leading European collections of the time. It was this extraordinary collection which formed the foundations for the State Hermitage Museum, founded in 1764 by Catherine and considered today to be one of the leading museums of art and culture in the world.

Drawing from three million items, this exhibition showcased the richness, diversity and collection strengths of the Hermitage Museum and by using key themes and pivotal works, this materclass explored the multifaceted dimensions of Catherine the Great's life and legacy.

Each session included evening lectures by some of the University of Melbourne's finest scholars and NGV's senior curators, light refreshments and the privilege of exclusive after hour exhibition viewing, showcasing tailored floor talks in the exhibition space.

Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn (Dutch 1606-1669)
Young woman trying on earrings
1657
Oil on wood panel
39.5 х 32.5 cm
The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg
Acquired from the collection of the Comte de Baudouin, Paris, 1781