After nearly 2 years on public display in Murwillumbah, Claude Monet's landmark painting Meules, milieu du jour [Haystacks, midday], 1890 will leave the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre with its final day on display being Sunday 26 October 2025.
The iconic work has been on loan from the National Gallery of Australia in Kamberri/Canberra, made possible through the Sharing the National Collection initiative. The painting was the first to be loaned to a regional gallery as part of this groundbreaking initiative.
Meules, milieu du jour [Haystacks, midday] is one of Claude Monet's celebrated Haystacks series, exploring the subtleties of light and colour at different times of the day and season.
Tweed Regional Gallery Director Ingrid Hedgcock said that the painting has been central to their programs over the last 2 years and has been appreciated by a whole new audience.
"We've been honoured to be the temporary custodians of this work from the national collection and are so grateful to the National Gallery for supporting us through this incredible initiative.
"The iconic nature of this work meant that it attracted locals and visitors that might never have considered visiting a regional gallery like ours – and they have enjoyed not only the Monet but many different parts of our regular collection, including the Margaret Olley Art Centre.
"I think this was especially the case when the work was accompanied by 4 others from the National Gallery in February 2024 – 3 by Margaret Olley herself and another painting (Natura morta) by one of Olley's favourite artists, Giorgio Morandi. We're pleased that those works will stay with us for a few years more," she said.
Director at the National Gallery, Dr Nick Mitzevich, said that sharing the masterpiece by Monet with the Tweed community was a brilliant way to begin the program in 2023.
"The Sharing the National Collection program has allowed the National Gallery to bring significant works by globally recognised artists to regional Australians. Since this exciting first loan to the Tweed Regional Gallery, over a million people have experienced the national collection closer to home, which is now spread across each state and territory of Australia."
During its stay in Murwillumbah, Meules, milieu du jour attracted widespread public and media attention. Local commentators were quick to note the contrast between the canvas's shimmering pastel light and the vivid North Coast environment.
Last day on display: Sunday, 26 October 2025
- Public hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (AEDT)
- Entry: Free of charge; group visits and tours require booking via the Gallery website
- Location: Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre, 2 Mistral Road, South Murwillumbah
