On Sunday 15 June a sell out group of AFTV members and guests arrived at the NGV for an enthralling day, starting with a fascinating and informative lecture by Bertrand Bourgeois from the University of Melbourne French Department.
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Bertrand provided an overall view of this collection of paintings, etchings and lithographs from Boston, discussing Pre Impressionism, Impressionism and Post, showing many early works rarely exhibited starting with The Barbizon School located around the forests of Fontainebleau( Rousseau, D'aubigny, Corot, Millet, Diaz la Pèna) where the landscapes, rocks, ponds, trees themselves were the feature, not mythological or religious characters. Bertrand then progressed to Boudin with his early Impressionist use of colour and strong brush strokes ( Storm at Trouville), a significant influence on the 16 years younger Monet. We then moved to the painters we were more familiar with- Manet, Monet, Degas, Renoir, Pissarro and a couple of 'new' names- Dutch and Norwegian…and the way the Exhibition was created, painting 'en plein air' being made more feasible with the creation of paint in tubes and portable easels. |
After lunch where colleagues had the opportunity to reflect and network before actually entering the exhibition where Bertrand had
introduced us to the rooms by citing and discussing at least one work in each to explain the theme. Each of the 10 very differently
decorated spaces was dedicated to an artist or a theme beginning with The Barbizon Room, then the Boudin Room, followed by rooms showing The
Boston collections of examples of interiors with still lifes- fruit and flowers ( Fantin Latour, Van Gogh. Cézanne), portraits, (Manet,
Victorine Meurent…) outdoor scenes of countryside ( Monet at Giverny and Antibes, Pissarro…) water- rivers, lakes and beaches, urban life (
Renoir- Dancers at Bougival, Degas- ballerinas, races at Longchamps, Pissarro…)
An astonishing collection and so creatively presented. À ne pas manquer!
Our thanks to both Svlvain Pereira and Bertrand Bourgois for offering us worksheets containing many interesting and varied worksheets for
teachers to use in the classroom after organising a visit to this exhibition. (Check the NGV website for school visit FAQs) Our thanks also
to David Menzies, Senior Educator at the NGV for all of his advice, assistance both beforehand and on the day.
My thanks to the Cultural/PL subcommittee, especially Claire Cowen for introducing and thanking Bertrand, and to Philippe and Dinah for their assistance with the organisation.
Gretchen Bennett, Convenor
Some participant feedback:
We are pleased to invite your students from years 9 - 12 to attend this gem of a movie about the unexpected twists that shape our experiences. It is positive, funny and refreshing.
Venue Cinema Kino, 45 Collins Street
Melbourne
Date Wednesday 25 June
Time 10.15am
We are pleased to continue to offer online French conversation classes in Term 3 2025.
The online classes are delivered by Marilyne Lopez of Almaje Language School.
Dates
30 July to 3 September
Time 6.15pm to 7.45pm
FRENCH Trivia is back AGAIN in 2025!
A night of learning and fun for your Years 9 & 10 French students
Date Friday 8 August 2025
Time 6.00pm - 8.00pm (approx
Venue Sacré Cœur – 172 Burke Road, Glen Iris 3146
Bookings close Friday 25 July
BOOKED OUT!
We apologise to those schools who were hoping their students would attend the Metropolitan Atelier Oral, but it is sold out.
L'ATELIER ORAL
(une matinée pour s'entrainer) offers your students the opportunity to practise for their oral exam.
Location Glen Eira College, 76 Booran Road Caulfield East
Date Sunday 31 August 2025
Time 8.30am - 12.30pm
An opportunity for Year 12 French students from REGIONAL SCHOOLS to practise online for their oral exam.
Date Sunday 14 September 2025
Time 10.00am - 12.40pm
Location via ZOOM
Information Night & Expression of Interest
We
are very excited to invite AFTV members to visit France for an extended professional learning experience, to be fully immersed in French
language and culture for two weeks during the 2026 Easter school holidays.