Almost 25,000 people viewed the European Old Masters: 16th to 19th Century exhibition at the Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Arts Centre.
The exhibition, which ran from September 28 to December 3, recorded 24,574 visitors, making it the third highest attendance to an exhibition in Hazelhurst’s history.
The Brett Whiteley: On the water exhibition in 2012 saw 25,632 people attend over ten weeks, and 25, 510 people came to view the WONDER and Alasdair McIntyre: The Adventures of AECAP exhibition in 2016.
European Old Masters : 16th to 19th Century had works by leading Italian, French and British artists from the High Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo and Romantic periods including Thomas Gainsborough, William Hogarth, Sir Joshua Reynolds, Bernardo Strozzi and Frans Snyders.
This was the first time so many of these important European paintings had been shown together outside the Art Gallery of New South Wales, their permanent home.
Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Arts Centre director Belinda Hanrahan said the works were some of the most important in New South Wales.
Sutherland Shire Mayor and Hazelhurst Gallery Board member, Carmelo Pesce said, “ Sutherland Shire community was the first to see the collection outside its home and showcases Council’s commitment to strengthen its community connections through shared cultural experiences.”