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EMERGING
FROM DARKNESS

Faith, Emotion and The Body in The Baroque
8 December 2023 – 14 April 2024

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Exhibition Open – December 9 2023 - 14 April 2024

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

Ground Floor – free
Southern Grampians locals - show original ticket for free re-entry

Ticket includes entry to the
Gallery and HG Design Store

10am - 5pm
Monday – Friday

10am – 2pm
Saturday – Sunday

Accessibility

Hamilton Gallery welcomes all ages, abilities, and demographics, and we are working to improve the accessibility of our spaces for every visitor.

We have step-free access to all ground-floor spaces and a lift for access to the first floor. The mezzanine is accessible via stairs with a handrail. This exhibition features a video with an audio/visual component you can choose to experience, and all other spaces are suitable for those with heightened sensitivities to light/sound/movement.

If you have specific needs, questions, or would like to request images or a floor plan of our facilities, please email us and our team will do our best to assist you.

Book Exhibition Tickets

All Event Tickets

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.

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 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.

Emerging From Darkness is curated by:
Dr Lisa Beaven, Senior Research Fellow, La Trobe University.
Dr David Marshall, Assoc. Prof., University of Melbourne Culture & Communications.
Laurie Benson, Curator, International Art, NGV.
Ian Brilley, Collections Coordinator, Hamilton Gallery.

Supporters

Hamilton Gallery’s most important exhibition to date would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors, donors, lenders and supporting institutions.

We extend our thanks to Visit Victoria and Creative Victoria; the Southern Grampians Shire Council; Allan and Maria Myers; AWM Data & Electrical, the National Gallery of Victoria, the National Gallery of Australia, the National Library of Australia, the Archives and Special Collections, University of Melbourne, and our private lenders.

Exhibition organised in partnership with The National Gallery of Victoria.

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

Highlighted Works

Giovanni Francesco Barbieri,
called il Guercino

Doubting Thomas (detail)
c. 1623-29
oil on canvas
Private collection

Bartolomeo Manfredi

The Martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew (detail)
c. 1620-22
oil on canvas
Private collection

Sofonisba Anguissola

Portrait of a Prelate (detail)
c. 1556
oil on canvas
Private collection

Lavinia Fontana

Mystic marriage of Saint Catherine (detail)
c. 1574-77
oil on copper
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 2021

Nicolas Régnier

Hero and Leander (detail)
c. 1625-26
oil on canvas
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1955

JUSEPE DE RIBERA

Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence (detail)
c. 1620-24
oil on canvas
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased with funds donated by Allan and Maria Myers
and Andrew Sisson, 2006

Guido Reni

Study for the centaur, Nessus (detail)
c. 1620
red and black chalks, heightened with white
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1923

Luca Giordano

Saint Sebastian being cured by Irene (detail)
c. 1653
oil on canvas
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1934

One of the most outstanding aspects of this exhibition is the intelligent pairing of drawings and prints, not only making it clear the ultimate destination of the drawings but helping us to appreciate them as the first germs of an artist's thinking.

The Australian

The exhibition is a standalone reason to hit the road.

A WORLD-CLASS EXHIBITION EXCLUSIVE TO HAMILTON GALLERY,
EMERGING FROM DARKNESS DEMONSTRATES THE CAPACITY OF REGIONAL GALLERIES TO CONNECT AUDIENCES TO EXPERIENCES PREVIOUSLY ONLY ACCESSIBLE THROUGH INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL.

Joshua White,
Hamilton Gallery Director

ONE OF THE MOST REMARKABLE EXHIBITIONS TO COME TO REGIONAL VICTORIA IN RECENT TIMES.

WHAT IS QUITE REMARKABLE ABOUT EMERGING FROM DARKNESS IS THE STRENGTH OF ITS PARTNERSHIPS, WHICH GO BEYOND “BUSINESS AS USUAL”.

Experiences

Enrich your experience of Emerging From Darkness with our series of unforgettable,
expert-led events tailored to elevate your visit.

Agatha in Vivaldi’s Venice
- Australian Chamber Choir

Saturday 13 April 3pm – 4pm
St Andrew's Church, Hamilton  

Agatha grew up in a Venetian orphanage, where she learned singing and composition under Vivaldi. The Australian Chamber Choir and orchestra, directed by Douglas Lawrence, perform Agatha’s cantata – unsung for 300 years – alongside Vivaldi’s Magnificat, with choir, soloists and an orchestra of period instruments. Ticket includes a 1pm guided tour of the exhibition and light refreshments.

Tickets: $40-50
Book Now

OPENING CELEBRATION

Friday 8 December, 6pm – 8pm
Hamilton Gallery

Be among the first to experience the grandeur of Emerging From Darkness with an evening of talks, tours and free live music to celebrate the opening of Hamilton Gallery’s most significant exhibition to date.

Free - booking essential
200 Available
Learn More

FAITH, EMOTION & THE BODY IN THE BAROQUE – SYMPOSIUM

Saturday 9 December, 1pm – 5pm
Hamilton Gallery

Join luminaries for an afternoon of scholarly discussion for insights into the profound religious, technological, and societal transformations behind the works featured in Emerging From Darkness.

Tickets: $20
60 Available
Learn More

THE PALACE - WICKENS DEGUSTATION

Saturday 9 December – Dinner
Royal Mail Hotel

Experience an immersive, award-winning degustation matched with Italian wines inspired by Emerging From Darkness and served with spectacular views of Gariwerd (Grampians National Park).

Tickets: $450pp (including five matched-wines)
Tickets: $370pp (with the non-alcoholic match)
Tickets strictly limited
Learn More

EN PLEIN AIR – OIL PAINTING WORKSHOP

Saturday 13 January, 1 – 3pm
Hamilton Botanic Gardens

Hamilton Gallery partners with the friends of the Hamilton Botanic Gardens for this special summer holiday oil painting workshop in one of Victoria’s most outstanding regional civic gardens. Hosted by local artist, Emma Stuart, both beginners and experienced artists are welcome to join.

Tickets: $75
40 Available
Book Now

YARN – GUNDITJMARA & THE BAROQUE

Saturday 20 January, 11am – 12pm
Hamilton Gallery

Inspired by Emerging From Darkness, we invite visitors to ‘yarn’ in the exhibition space with local Gunditjmara Elder, Aunty Claudette Lovett. Conversation will drift openly from place to place as Aunty connects her deep knowledge of our lands to the era of the Baroque movement.

Tickets: $20
Free for First Nations
Book Now

WOMEN IN 17TH CENTURY ITALY - SEMINAR

Saturday 23 March, 11am – 4pm
Hamilton Gallery

Join the curators of Emerging From Darkness and industry experts who will share captivating insights into radical women such as Queen Christina, the powerful 17th century ruler who dressed in men’s clothes and renounced the throne.

Tickets: $20
60 Available
Book Now

Robyn Stacey, Mr Macleay’s fruit and flora, still live of fruits and vegetables

RADICAL TRANSFORMATION - CREATIVE MIXER

Friday 5 April, 6pm – 8pm
Hamilton Gallery

Join us for a raucous night of industry fun for artists and creatives! Tickets include a complimentary drink, light locally catered nibbles and live music amidst the exhibition.

Tickets $20 - booking essential
60 Available
Book Now

Regular events

Enjoy a feast of regular programming that connects visitors
of all ages to our gallery.

HG LIL MATES

Saturdays 9am – 10am, monthly

The first three years of life offer an amazing opportunity for toddlers to develop their curiosity and an appreciation of beauty in the world around them. HG Educators will guide toddlers and their caregivers through a range of interactive and sensory experiences that uniquely connect them to the works featured in Emerging from Darkness.

Tickets: $10
30 places
Book Now

HG PLAY

Wednesdays 4pm – 5pm, during term

From tactile crunchy paper collages to painted papier mâché, HG Play classes are dedicated to enabling children to relate to the historically significant artworks of Emerging From Darkness through sensory-stimulating art activities and play.

Tickets: Kids free
15 places
Book Now

HG BABIES

Thursdays 9am – 10am

In this very special program, Hamilton Gallery opens early for babies and their caregivers who will be guided through the gallery and sensory play activities, allowing them to experience exhibitions in uniquely baby-friendly ways.

Tickets: Babies free
15 places
Book Now

HG TOUR

Tuesdays & Fridays 12pm – 1pm

An ideal introduction to the gallery for first time visitors, or a great way for seasoned visitors to discover something new, tour the highlights of Emerging from Darkness with one our expert guides.

Tickets: $20
30 places
Book Now

LOOK CLUB

Tuesdays 10am – 11am, once a month

‘What’s going on in this picture?’ Look Club is the practice of looking, talking, listening and engaging with art, in the company of others from all walks of life and of all levels of experience with art. Everyone is welcome.

Tickets: $20
30 places
Book Now

Merchandise

Accompanying the exhibition is a high-quality publication alongside a range of unique products and gifts inspired by or emblazoned with hero works from Emerging From Darkness.

spine CANDLES

Unscented spine-shaped beeswax candles reminiscent of the bodies immortalised in exhibition artworks.

$30
Purchase

Scented jar candle

Chiaroscuro-inspired candles scented with Australian natives and honey.

$28
Purchase

long sleeve white t-shirt

Featuring the Entry of Alexander into Babylon tapestry, designed by Louis XIV’s court painter, Charles Le Brun.

$64.99
Enquire

short SLEEVE WHITE t-shirt

Featuring the Entry of Alexander into Babylon tapestry, designed by Louis XIV’s court painter, Charles Le Brun.

$49.99
Enquire

long SLEEVE black t-shirt

Featuring the iconic painting, Lucretia by Artemisia Gentileschi.

$64.99
Enquire

SHORT SLEEVE BLACK T-SHIRT

Featuring the iconic painting, Lucretia by Artemisia Gentileschi.

$49.99
Enquire

tea towel

Featuring Lucretia by Artemisia Gentileschi. Ethically made in India on cotton waste using renewable energy.

$25
Purchase

TEA TOWEL

Featuring The Entry of Alexander into Babylon by Charles Le Brun. Ethically made in India on cotton waste using renewable energy.

$25
Purchase

TEA TOWEL

Featuring Mt Abrupt, The Grampians by Nicholas Chevalier. Ethically made in India on cotton waste using renewable energy.

$25
Purchase

PUBLICATION CATALOGUE

A stunning 290-page catalogue by industry-leading experts revealing insights into the Baroque period.

$60
Purchase

heart candles

Anatomical heart candles inspired by the fleshy, corporeal artworks in Emerging From Darkness.

$50
Purchase

Visit

Complement your visit to the Southern Grampians by visiting
the locals’ favourite stomping grounds!

ROYAL MAIL HOTEL

Embrace award-winning, luxury accommodation with panoramic views alongside fine dining inspired by the micro-seasons of Dunkeld.

Explore

GRAMPIANS PEAKS TRAIL

Stay in purpose-built hike-in campgrounds, climb dramatic mountain peaks and explore the rugged ridgelines of the spectacular Grampians Peaks Trail. Opened in 2021, the trail is a challenging 13-day/12-night, 164kms hiking experience through a variety of terrain which can equally be enjoyed as shorter day hikes.

Explore

THE BUNYIP HOTEL

A country pub for hardcore foodies, the Bunyip Hotel is led by head chef, James ‘Jimmy’ Campbell, who delivers seasonal menus using locally sourced produce. Jimmy moved back home to Cavendish after honing his skills in high-profile kitchens in Melbourne and Sydney so this is not your average pub fare. His Sunday Chef’s Table offerings are not to be missed!

Explore

GARIWERD (THE GRAMPIANS)

Hamilton Gallery houses a number of excellent works featuring Gariwerd, painted by historical and contemporary masters such as Eugene Von Guerard, Nicholas Chevalier, John Wolseley and Rick Amor. Enjoy nature trails and stunning views, outdoor adventures, ancient Aboriginal culture, native flora and fauna in abundance, and food and wine celebrations.

Explore

TAE RAK AQUACULTURE CENTRE

Join a Gunditjmara cultural guide who will take you on tour of Tae Rak (Lake Condah). Hear the Gunditjmara creation story, the lifecycle of Kooyang (eels) and learn how Gunditjmara people created one of Australia’s earliest and largest aquaculture systems, sustaining life over tens of thousands of years.

Explore

Emerging From Darkness: Faith, Emotion and The Body in the Baroque.

Hamilton Gallery

Featuring world-renowned masterpieces including some never-before-seen works, this is one of the most important exhibitions ever to be held in regional Australia.

EMERGINGFROM DARKNESS

Supporters

Highlighted Works

Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, called il Guercino

Bartolomeo Manfredi

Sofonisba Anguissola

Lavinia Fontana

Nicolas Régnier

JUSEPE DE RIBERA

Guido Reni

Luca Giordano

One of the most outstanding aspects of this exhibition is the intelligent pairing of drawings and prints, not only making it clear the ultimate destination of the drawings but helping us to appreciate them as the first germs of an artist's thinking.

The exhibition is a standalone reason to hit the road.

A WORLD-CLASS EXHIBITION EXCLUSIVE TO HAMILTON GALLERY, EMERGING FROM DARKNESS DEMONSTRATES THE CAPACITY OF REGIONAL GALLERIES TO CONNECT AUDIENCES TO EXPERIENCES PREVIOUSLY ONLY ACCESSIBLE THROUGH INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL.

ONE OF THE MOST REMARKABLE EXHIBITIONS TO COME TO REGIONAL VICTORIA IN RECENT TIMES.

WHAT IS QUITE REMARKABLE ABOUT EMERGING FROM DARKNESS IS THE STRENGTH OF ITS PARTNERSHIPS, WHICH GO BEYOND “BUSINESS AS USUAL”.

Experiences

Agatha in Vivaldi’s Venice- Australian Chamber Choir

OPENING CELEBRATION

FAITH, EMOTION & THE BODY IN THE BAROQUE – SYMPOSIUM

THE PALACE - WICKENS DEGUSTATION

EN PLEIN AIR – OIL PAINTING WORKSHOP

YARN – GUNDITJMARA & THE BAROQUE

WOMEN IN 17TH CENTURY ITALY - SEMINAR

RADICAL TRANSFORMATION - CREATIVE MIXER

Regular events

HG LIL MATES

HG PLAY

HG BABIES

HG TOUR

LOOK CLUB

Merchandise

spine CANDLES

Scented jar candle

long sleeve white t-shirt

short SLEEVE WHITE t-shirt

long SLEEVE black t-shirt

SHORT SLEEVE BLACK T-SHIRT

tea towel

TEA TOWEL

TEA TOWEL

PUBLICATION CATALOGUE

heart candles

Visit

ROYAL MAIL HOTEL

GRAMPIANS PEAKS TRAIL

THE BUNYIP HOTEL

GARIWERD (THE GRAMPIANS)

TAE RAK AQUACULTURE CENTRE

Event Locations

SUBSCRIBE TOHAMILTON GALLERY

THANK YOU FOR YOURENQUIRY.

EMERGING
FROM DARKNESS

Giovanni Francesco Barbieri,
called il Guercino

A WORLD-CLASS EXHIBITION EXCLUSIVE TO HAMILTON GALLERY,
EMERGING FROM DARKNESS DEMONSTRATES THE CAPACITY OF REGIONAL GALLERIES TO CONNECT AUDIENCES TO EXPERIENCES PREVIOUSLY ONLY ACCESSIBLE THROUGH INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL.

Agatha in Vivaldi’s Venice
- Australian Chamber Choir

SUBSCRIBE TO
HAMILTON GALLERY

THANK YOU FOR YOUR
ENQUIRY.