CANBERRA.- Masterpieces from Paris: Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cézanne and beyond today welcomed its 250 000th visitor, breaking the National Gallery of Australia’s previous exhibition visitation record of 241,770 set by the Rubens and the Italian Renaissance exhibition in 1992.

“We are thrilled to have achieved our visitation target for Masterpieces from Paris. We have seen an average of 3000 people a day experience the exhibition,” said Ron Radford AM, Director of the National Gallery.

“With 6 weeks remaining until the exhibition closes on 5 April 2010, I encourage anyone who hasn’t made it to the National Gallery of Australia to plan your visit now. The best time to visit is after 2pm on weekdays. On Fridays and Saturdays we recommend visitors take advantage of late night openings,” Ron Radford said.

Ron Radford personally welcomed the 250,000th visitor to the exhibition.

“The ACT Government is proud to have worked with the National Gallery of Australia and the Commonwealth Government to bring this landmark exhibition to Australia,” said Andrew Barr, ACT Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation.

“More than 70% of the 250,000 visitors have come to Canberra from around Australia and overseas. They are here to see the masterpieces at the National Gallery of Australia and to experience the Canberra region’s hotels, wineries, attractions and much more,” said Minister Barr.

The calibre of the works of art in the exhibition, combined with a national marketing campaign that has the support of media partners such as Channel 9, JC Decaux, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Canberra Times and ABC Local Radio, is bringing more visitors to the ACT than any other exhibition previously held.

“Canberra’s hotels are enjoying their busiest summer in memory. The Masterpieces from Paris exhibition has created huge demand for accommodation during what is normally the quietest time of the year for our members,” said Steven Fanner, General Manager of the Australian Hotels Association.

Visitor feedback shows that more than 97% of visitors rate the exhibition as ‘impressive’ or ‘very impressive’, with three van Goghs and three Monets being voted amongst the favourite paintings. Van Gogh’s Starry night is the clear favourite with about 37% of the vote for the10 most popular works.

For visitors looking to enrich their experience, the National Gallery of Australia offers a variety of programs and activities to complement the Masterpieces from Paris exhibition.