Hamilton Gallery

003 Final Web Resized 506KB- Artemisia Gentileschi, Lucretia c.1630-35, oil on canvas. Private collection

Artemisia Gentileschi, Lucretia c.1630-35, oil on canvas. Private Collection.

EMERGING FROM DARKNESS:

FAITH, EMOTION AND THE BODY IN THE BAROQUE

Exhibition Opening: Friday 8 Dec 2023, 6pm
Exhibition: Saturday 9 Dec 2023 - Sunday 14 Apr 2024

Drawn from a partnership with the National Gallery of Victoria and loans from the National Gallery of Australia and private lenders across the country, Emerging From Darkness: Faith, Emotion and the Body in the Baroque brings together some of the most important European works in Australia for the first time. 

This unprecedented exhibition showcases rare, historically important works by world-renowned baroque masters, promising to be one of the most important exhibitions ever held in regional Australia.  

Emerging From Darkness heroes the dramatic stories of three female artists; Artemisia Gentileschi, Lavinia Fontana, and Sofonisba Anguissola, who cathartically reinterpret experiences of violence and turmoil, yet at the same time, represent voices of empowerment. Their works are showcased alongside major paintings by Peter Paul Rubens, Valentin de Boulogne, Guercino and Bartolomeo Manfredi, among others. 

The Baroque is the most passionate and emotive art movement in history. Visitors will experience works that changed the course of art in the 17th Century. An exhibition of this calibre and content can usually only be experienced in galleries and museums overseas. While some works are known, others have rarely been seen. All, however, are powerful, unapologetic, and undeniably memorable. 

Emerging From Darkness is a unique cultural opportunity for audience members and features a range of associated events and experiences including exciting accommodation and dining packages, and bespoke products in the HG design store. There are free and ticketed opportunities for all ages. 

 

Exhibition organised by Hamilton Gallery in partnership with the National Gallery of Victoria.

This project is proudly supported by the Victorian State Government through Visit Victoria and the Regional Events Fund.

Tickets

Timed entry tickets for the exhibition, events and tourism packages are available via the link below:

Adult: $20
Access Pricing: $15
Under 18’s: Free

For further information call 03 5573 0460 or email [email protected]

This exhibition brings together exceptional works from public and private collections in Australia, offering regional audiences a unique opportunity to gain insights into a radical transformation in art history.

During the late 16th Century, artists such as Annibale Carracci and Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio transformed Italian art, rethinking all aspects of composition and colour, rejecting mannerist painting and emphasising drawing and painting from life. In a profound break from tradition, they painted directly from posed figures and used the shadows and light of chiaroscuro, invented by Leonardo da Vinci, to make figures stand out vividly whilst also being concealed.

This transformation took place against the backdrop of religious upheaval and thought-shifting scientific revelations. Painting started to gain mass appeal, with viewers of iconography no longer needing to be literate or to understand scripture to experience an intense emotional response to art.

Emerging From Darkness explores this fascinating period, bringing women artists to the fore as protagonists of their own stories.

For the first time in a major exhibition of 17th Century Italian works in Australia, Emerging From Darkness also examines art produced in India, Asia, and the Pacific, objects produced in a Christian context demonstrating European and Asian influences, and contemporary works by artists employing the Baroque style. It represents a rare opportunity to explore Italy, figurative art, and the body in one of Australia’s few European masters researched exhibitions.

Emerging From Darkness is curated by:

  • Laurie Benson, Curator of International Art at the NGV
  • Dr David Marshall, Associate Professor and Principal Fellow of Art History, University of Melbourne Culture & Communications
  • Dr Lisa Beaven, Senior Research Fellow, La Trobe University
  • Ian Brilley, Exhibitions and Collections Coordinator, Hamilton Gallery

Hamilton Gallery’s most important exhibition to date would not be possible without the generous support of many. We extend our thanks to our partners, the National Gallery of Victoria and Visit Victoria, Creative Victoria, Mr Allan Myers AC KC and Mrs Maria Myers AC, AWM Data & Electrical, the National Gallery of Australia, the National Library of Australia, the Bailleau Library, and private lenders.

Curate a memorable visit to the Southern Grampians that extends your cultural experience. Explore landscapes dominated by the spectacular Grampians National Park (Gariwerd) and the dramatic volcanic region at the intersection of the Great Ocean Road, Budj Bim Cultural Landscape and Coonawarra vignerons. Discover world-class food and wine, unique attractions and experiences, diverse architecture and botanic treasures. Connect with our team for 1:1 assistance planning your visit.

Opening Weekend

Tickets are available to book here. Please contact our team if you need assistance; 03 5573 0460, [email protected]

Exhibition Opening

Friday 8 December, 6-8pm, Hamilton Gallery 

Free – booking essential

Celebrate the grandeur and theatricality of the baroque with Hamilton Gallery.  
Join us for the official opening to enjoy a first glimpse at the exhibition alongside insights from exhibition curators and special guests over drinks and canapes and b
e first to get your hands on a copy of the remarkable accompanying publication. 

Sofonisba Anguissola Portrait of a Prelate c. 1556 Oil on canva Private collection

Sofonisba Anguissola 
Portrait of a Prelate c. 1556
Oil on canvas
Private collection 

Emerging From Darkness Symposium

Saturday 9 December, 1-5pm, Hamilton Gallery

$20 pp – booking essential

Join luminaries to discover the human stories behind the exhibition in this insightful afternoon of scholarly talks by expert guest speakers, including a locally catered afternoon tea. 

Enjoy opportunities for Q&A and informal discussion amidst this dynamic day of spotlight talks.  

Speakers & Topics:

  • Dr Lisa Beaven, exhibition co-curator and Senior Research Fellow, La Trobe University – Topic: Art & Religion
  • Mr Laurie Benson, exhibition co-curator and Curator of International Art at the NGV – Topic: Annibale Carracci & the Carracci Academy
  • Dr David Marshall, exhibition co-curator, Associate Professor and Principal Fellow of Art History, University of Melbourne  – Topic: Caravaggio & the Caravaggisti
  • Dr Esther Theiler, Honorary Research Fellow in Classics & Ancient History, La Trobe University – Topic: Portraiture & Women Artists
  • Dr Matthew Martin, Senior Lecturer in Art History and Curatorship, University of Melbourne – Topic: Exporting the Baroque – 17th c. art in Asia & the Pacific

Wickens Degustation at the Royal Mail Hotel

Saturday 9 December 6-9pm, Wickens at the Royal Mail Hotel, Dunkeld

Ticketed – booking essential

The hallmark experience of the Royal Mail Hotel, Wickens is a degustatory journey, intimately connected to nature. This symphony of art and fine dining celebrates the inaugural day of Emerging From Darkness: Faith, Emotion, and the Body in the Baroque. 

Delight your palate with multiple courses of flavourful artistry using produce grown metres away in Australia’s largest organic Kitchen Garden, with matched wines curated from an award-winning 4,200-bottle wine list.  

Behind discrete doors, a highly immersive experience unfolds, with the kitchen as its stage and views of the Grampians National Park (Gariwerd) as its backdrop. 

Tourism Experience Packages

We have partnered with three of our region’s most exquisite accommodation providers to offer exclusive tourism packages that combine art with the best of the region’s landscapes, First Nations culture, food, wine, coffee, and some of the first copies of our beautiful Emerging From Darkness publication.

Couples Country Art & Food Escapes

Bespoke packages for 2 people to experience an unforgettable weekend in the Southern Grampians. 
Book early to take advantage of these made-for-you experiences.

Friday 8 December to Monday 11 December

3 nights’ accommodation at Stoneycroft Cottage, Cavendish – a peaceful 1864 farm stay nestled amongst 600+ year old red gums with picturesque mountain views from a hidden gem; Cavendish.

Free exhibition entry all weekend

FRI 8: Opening Night & private Director’s Tour 

SAT 9: Symposium & Wickens Degustation 

SUN 10: Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Tour & Chef’s Table at The Bunyip Hotel 

2 x coffees from Two Doors Cafe, Hamilton
1 x Pierrepoint Pinot Noir
1 x Emerging From Darkness publication

Friday 8 December to Monday 11 December

3 nights’ accommodation in Arrandoovong’s Guesthouse, a cosy self-contained cottage adjoining one of the grandest bluestone homesteads in the Western District, circa 1852, just 18 minutes from Hamilton towards Budj Bim UNESCO World Heritage site.

Free exhibition entry all weekend 

FRI 8: Opening Night & private Director’s Tour  

SAT 9: Symposium & Wickens Degustation  

SUN 10: Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Tour & Chef’s Table at The Bunyip Hotel 

2 x coffees from Two Doors Cafe, Hamilton
1 x Pierrepoint Pinot Noir
1 x Emerging From Darkness publication

Friday 8 December to Sunday 10 December

Dip in the outdoor swimming pool then retreat for 2 nights’ accommodation in a Mountain View Room at The Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld, nestled at the base of the Gariwerd National Park. 

Free exhibition entry all weekend 

FRI 8: Opening Night & private Director’s Tour  

SAT 9: Symposium & Wickens Degustation  

SUN 10: Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Tour & Chef’s Table at Parker Street Project 

2 x coffees from Two Doors Cafe, Hamilton
1 x Pierrepoint Pinot Noir
1 x Emerging From Darkness publication


Exhibition organised by Hamilton Gallery in partnership with the National Gallery of Victoria.

This project is proudly supported by the Victorian State Government through Visit Victoria and the Regional Events Fund.