![\"Kerrie](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/19b129947b6b8f4aeec0daaa2794d90b18cf47da.png\")
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January 30, 2026 \u2014 12:01am<\/p>\n
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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n Save this article for later<\/p>\n Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime.<\/p>\n Got it<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n A stunning array of Modernist paintings, many never before shown in Australia, is coming to northern Victoria this winter \u2013 including a work by Salvador Dali that prior to this was hung on a bathroom wall.<\/p>\n Starting in May, Shepparton Art Museum will host Facing Modernity: Degas to Picasso from Auckland Art Gallery Toi o T\u0101maki.<\/p>\n Fifteen of the works were a philanthropic gift from New York-based collectors Julian Robertson (1932-2022) and Josie Robertson (1943-2010) to Auckland Art Gallery in 2023.<\/p>\n Prior to their donation, they were part of the Robertsons\u2019 private collection at their home in New York.<\/p>\n Auckland Art Gallery\u2019s senior curator Dr Sophie Matthiesson says the Robertsons adored New Zealand and had a lot of precious family memories of the place.<\/p>\n \u201cThey had very romantic memories of New Zealand, a lot to do with family, but they had bought up bits of land all over and created golf courses, vineyards, all sorts of things, and then they were spending a lot of their money on very quiet philanthropy… and funding rewilding programs.\u201d<\/p>\n Over the course of their marriage, the Robertsons amassed an incredible collection of art, buying mainly based on what they liked.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything they had went onto their walls. At Shepparton, they\u2019re going to use some of the beautiful photographs of the home with the L\u00e9gers and Picassos and things hanging everywhere, sculptures all among the comfortable Manhattan Upper East Side apartment that overlooked Central Park.\u201d<\/p>\n The couple were aware they could have donated their collection to the Metropolitan or MOMA but both institutions already had strong holdings of 20th century modernist work.<\/p>\n A stunning bronze sculpture by Degas will be on show, as well as superb paintings by a who\u2019s who of 20th century masters. The Dali, for example, Matthiesson says, is a prime example of his skill. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing slapdash about it. This is one of the furphies about Dali, that he was some sort of buffoon and glib or shallow. But this sort of painting completely reverses that perception.\u201d<\/p>\n Other high-profile names featured include Pierre Bonnard, Auguste Rodin, Georges Braque, Andr\u00e9 Derain, Paul Gauguin, Barbara Hepworth, Fernand L\u00e9ger and Henri Matisse.<\/p>\n It\u2019s an opportune time for Shepparton Art Museum to host the show, given two of our major regional galleries are closed for redevelopment. Bendigo Art Gallery is spending $45 million and is set to open its doors in early 2028<\/a>, while Ballarat will reopen in late 2026.<\/p>\n Shepparton Art Museum had its own six-year $50<\/a>\u00a0million redevelopment<\/a>, reopening in 2021, which has enabled it to host such a significant exhibition.<\/p>\n Editor’s pick Matthiesson says we\u2019re witnessing a renaissance in regional Victoria, which she describes as \u201cthe future proofing of these institutions, the modernising of them, so that they\u2019ll be there for 100 years\u201d.<\/p>\n Facing Modernity: Degas to Picasso from Auckland Art Gallery Toi o T\u0101maki is at Shepparton Art Museum from May 23\u2013September 20.<\/p>\n The Booklist is a weekly newsletter for book lovers from Jason Steger. Get it delivered every Friday<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Salvador](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/6652c725f9dd1db32066638a7a53319f7d48c68d.jpeg\")
Salvador Dal\u00ed, Instrument masochiste (Masochistic Instrument) circa 1934, oil on canvasAuckland Art Gallery Toi o T\u0101maki, gift of Julian
\nand Josie Robertson through the Auckland Art
\nGallery Foundation, 2023<\/p>\n![\"Sophie](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/26814c19af4aa5d366f3b87df871c0b1e700adde.jpeg\")
Sophie Matthiesson, senior curator of international art at the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o T\u0101maki.<\/p>\n![\"Pablo](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/cdaa2eb4b86bf9925b3bae262f5025265c5ea436.jpeg\")
Pablo Picasso, Femme \u00e0 la r\u00e9sille (Woman in a hairnet),1938, oil on canvasAuckland Art Gallery Toi o T\u0101maki, gift of Julian
\nand Josie Robertson through the Auckland Art
\nGallery Foundation, 2023<\/p>\n![\"Stuart](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/5f1d7f5b71aa4faf00da286681bc24e7a6fa646f.jpeg\")
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