National Gallery of Victoria Opens ITALIAN MASTERPIECES FROM SPAIN'S ROYAL COURT, MUSEO DEL PRADO Today

The finest collection of Italian Masterpieces ever to come to Australia will open at the National Gallery of Victoria today, 16 May. Featuring some of the most outstanding works from masters such as Raphael, Titian and Tiepolo the exhibition represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in Australia to see some of the most extraordinary Italian works produced during the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries, many from the Royal Court in Spain.

This Melbourne exclusive exhibition has been drawn from one of the world's most celebrated collections, Museo del Prado, Madrid, and will showcase over 100 works comprising 70 paintings, some measuring over 3 metres, alongside more than 30 superb drawings - the largest number of Italian works the Museo del Prado has ever loaned to one exhibition.

The Honourable Louise Asher, Minister for Tourism and Major Events, welcomed the exhibition as a major coup for Melbourne.

"This is the first time the Prado has toured an exhibition of its renowned collection of Italian masterpieces in the world. We are thrilled that Melbourne has secured this world first - providing visitors with an unprecedented opportunity to see works that, until now, could only be seen at the Prado," said Minister Asher.

Tony Ellwood said that the holdings of Italian art in the Museo del Prado, Madrid, are unique and unrivalled in museums outside Italy. Italian Masterpieces from Spain's Royal Court, Museo del Prado will present a rich selection of paintings and drawings spanning 300 years of Italian art, from the early sixteenth to the eighteenth centuries.

"The exhibition will reflect the taste of the Spanish Royal Court whose Kings and courtiers avidly collected Italian art and will present more than 70 Italian masters including Raphael, Correggio, Titian, Tintoretto, the Carracci and Tiepolo.

Italian Masterpieces from Spain's Royal Court, Museo del Prado will captivate and amaze visitors, and will be complemented by a diverse range of engaging programs, lectures and events," Mr Ellwood said.