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Excitement is building behind the scenes in Kamberri/Canberra and the Tweed as preparations ramp up for the opening of one of the world’s most famous artworks – Meules, milieu du jour [Haystacks, midday], 1890 – at the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre, as part of the National Gallery of Australia’s Sharing the National Collection initiative.
The $174 million masterpiece by French impressionist Claude Monet, will be on display to the public at the Tweed Regional Gallery from 10 am on Wednesday 1 November.
Meules, milieu du jour [Haystacks, midday] will be on display in the picturesque regional gallery until October 2025.
Long revered as Monet’s most exquisite series, the Haystack paintings are remarkable for the range of light and weather conditions portrayed. These stacks of wheat stood in a field behind the artist’s house at Giverny, a village 60 kilometres from central Paris. From the late summer of 1890 until winter 1891, Monet painted these haystacks at least 25 times. It was the changing effects of light, rather than the stacks themselves, that fascinated him.
It is one of five works to be shared with the Tweed Regional Gallery from the national collection as part of the National Gallery of Australia’s Sharing the National Collection initiative. The remaining works – three by iconic Australian artist Margaret Olley as well as Natura morta [Still life] 1956 by Giorgio Morandi – will be shared with the Tweed from February 2024.
Tweed Regional Gallery Director Susi Muddiman OAM said there was a buzz about the Gallery as the countdown to the Monet exhibition gets well and truly underway.
“Final preparations are being put in place for what will no doubt be one of the most significant artworks ever displayed at the Tweed Regional Gallery,” Ms Muddiman said.
“Everyone, from our volunteers and staff, art lovers, residents and tourism operators across the Northern Rivers are counting down the days until the artwork is on display.
“We are particularly proud to be the first gallery in regional Australia selected to participate in the exciting Sharing the National Collection initiative, which provides a rare opportunity for people living in our region to experience this artwork close to home.
“The Tweed Regional Gallery is already a popular drawcard in the region and an artwork of this calibre will further enhance the Gallery as a popular cultural destination. We are very grateful for the opportunity and thank the National Gallery of Australia for their support.”
Haystacks, midday is currently in storage at the National Gallery of Australia in Kamberri/Canberra, where the team are making final preparations for its delivery to the Tweed.
National Gallery Deputy Director Adam Lindsay said that sharing this treasure with the Tweed community would not have been possible without the Sharing the National Collection initiative.
“Haystacks, midday is one of the most iconic works of the national collection and thanks to the support of the Australian Government, we’re thrilled it will call Tweed home for the next two years,” Mr Lindsay said.
Activities and events for audiences of all ages will complement the artwork and will be available on the Gallery website in the coming weeks.
The Monet painting will be on display to the public from 10 am on Wednesday 1 November. Entry remains free of charge. Group visits and tours must book via the Gallery's website.
The Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre is located at 2 Mistral Road, South Murwillumbah. The Gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday 10 am – 5 pm (DST) and Apex Dining is open Wednesday to Sunday from 9 am to 4 pm.
Claude Monet’s Meules, milieu du jour [Haystacks, midday] is on long-term loan from the National Gallery of Australia, with support from the Australian Government as part of Sharing the National Collection.
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