New acquisition at National Gallery of Victoria, Lavinia Fontana, ‘Mystic marriage of St Catherine’ (c.1575). Supplied.
Earlier this month, the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) announced it had acquired a painting by ‘the first woman to become a professional painter in Europe’. The value of the painting was not disclosed, but needless to say, these are the kind of milestone markers that collections need as anchor points, and are highly desired.
This week, the National Museum of Australia (NMA) similarly announced it had acquired a painting that was equally a powerful pivot point in Australian stories and First Nations recognition.
Gina Fairley is ArtsHub's Senior Contributor, after 12 years in the role as National Visual Arts Editor. She has worked for extended periods in America and Southeast Asia, as gallerist, arts administrator and regional contributing editor for a number of magazines, including Hong Kong based Asian Art News and World Sculpture News. She is an Art Tour leader for the AGNSW Members, and lectures regularly on the state of the arts. She is based in Mittagong, regional NSW.
Instagram: fairleygina
