The biographical tale of conflict between Michelangelo and Pope Julius II during the painting of the Sistine Chapel. Directed by Carol Reed and starring Charlton Heston, Rex Harrison and Dianne Cilento.

• Venue: James O Fairfax Theatre
• FREE

An informative introduction to Renaissance by a Gallery staff member prior to an exclusive exhibition viewing after hours.

• Venue: James O Fairfax Theatre
• Bookings essential
• $40, $35 members/concession (includes exhibition entry)
• limited numbers, bookings through ticketek.com.au

Sarina Noordhuis-Fairfax, Curator, Australian Prints and Drawings, discusses the exhibition.

• Venue: Childrens Gallery
• FREE

Saturdays and Sundays. Avoid the crowds and experience the exhibition with a limited number of visitors. Doors open at 9.00 am, prior to the public opening time at 10.00 am. Breakfast option available.

• Venue: Temporary Exhibitions Gallery
• Bookings essential
• $50, $45 members (adults only, no concessions)
• limited numbers, bookings through ticketek.com.au

The greatest melodramatic romance of all time. Directed by George Cukor and starring Norma Shearer, Leslie Howard and John Barrymore.

• Venue: James O Fairfax Theatre
• FREE

Special Auslan sign-interpreted tour.

• Venue: meet at information desk
• Bookings essential
• Free
• Email enquiry bookings essential, (02) 6240 6519

Simeran Maxwell, Exhibition Assistant for Renaissance, discusses the history and designs of the playing cards known as tarocchi or tarot.

• Venue: James O Fairfax Theatre
• FREE

An informative introduction to Renaissance by a Gallery staff member prior to an exclusive exhibition viewing after hours.

• Venue: James O Fairfax Theatre
• Bookings essential
• $40, $35 members/concession (includes exhibition entry)
• limited numbers, bookings through ticketek.com.au

Lucie Folan, Curator, Asian Art, talks about Japanese woodblock prints and theatre costumes in the national art collection.

• Venue: Small Theatre
• FREE

Renaissance opens after hours exclusively for members and their guests. Avoid the crowds and relax with a glass of sparkling wine on arrival.

• Venue: Temporary Exhibitions Gallery
• Bookings essential
• $40 members, $45 guests
• Email enquiry book now

A journey through Italian Renaissance dance with Earthly Delights Historic Dance Academy. Be transported by the music, costumes, masks and dance to a world of exquisite beauty, and join in for some of the dances.

• Venue: James O Fairfax Theatre
• FREE

Saturdays and Sundays. Avoid the crowds and experience the exhibition with a limited number of visitors. Doors open at 9.00 am, prior to the public opening time at 10.00 am. Breakfast option available.

• Venue: Temporary Exhibitions Gallery
• Bookings essential
• $50, $45 members (adults only, no concessions)
• limited numbers, bookings through ticketek.com.au

An intelligent and rare film adaptation of this Shakespearean comedy. Directed by Michael Radford and starring Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons and Joseph Fiennes.

• Venue: James O Fairfax Theatre
• FREE

An informative introduction to Renaissance by a Gallery staff member prior to an exclusive exhibition viewing after hours.

• Venue: James O Fairfax Theatre
• Bookings essential
• $40, $35 members/concession (includes exhibition entry)
• limited numbers, bookings through ticketek.com.au

Gael Newton, Senior Curator, Photography, discusses pioneer photographers in the exhibition Out of the West.

• Venue: Project Gallery
• FREE

A six-week series of masterclass lectures with key academics and experts in Renaissance art. Held once a week on Wednesday evenings, the series is ideal for enthusiasts who want to delve deeply into the rich artistic content of the exhibition. The exhibition opens to masterclass attendees from 7.00 to 8.00 pm for participants to pay close attention to the works of art discussed during the lectures. For further details on masterclass topics and lecturers, see highlights.

• Venue: James O Fairfax Theatre
• Bookings essential
• $150, $130 members/concession (six lectures and exhibition entries)
• Email enquiry book now

Special viewing of the exhibition for people with disabilities and their carers.

• Venue: meet at information desk
• Bookings essential
• Free
• Email enquiry bookings essential, (02) 6240 6519

Ron Radford AM discusses a selection of works in Renaissance.

• Venue: James O Fairfax Theatre
• FREE

Kelli Cole, Assistant Curator, speaks about Danie Mellor's A Transcendent Vision (of life, death and resurrection) 2010.

• Venue: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander galleries
• FREE

Saturdays and Sundays. Avoid the crowds and experience the exhibition with a limited number of visitors. Doors open at 9.00 am, prior to the public opening time at 10.00 am. Breakfast option available.

• Venue: Temporary Exhibitions Gallery
• Bookings essential
• $50, $45 members (adults only, no concessions)
• limited numbers, bookings through ticketek.com.au

Discover the value of drawing together with Gallery educators Adriane Boag and Roy Marchant. Come as a family, a group or an individual.

• Venue: throughout the Gallery
• Bookings essential
• $12, $10 members (includes materials)
• Email enquiry book now

A fictionalised retelling of the life of Italian Baroque painter Caravaggio. Directed by Derek Jarman and starring Noam Almaz, Dexter Fletcher and Dawn Archibald.

• Venue: James O Fairfax Theatre
• FREE

Member's Book Club provides an opportunity to engage with current exhibitions, the collection and themes around art and culture. This season's book is Steven Carroll?s Spirit in progress. A special discount of 20% is available on this title at the National Gallery Shop. Facilitated by Claudia Hyles.

• Venue: NGA Shop
• Bookings essential
• $12 per meeting
• Email enquiry limited to 12 places, book now

David Wise, Senior Paintings Conservator, discusses the painting materials and techniques used during the Renaissance in Italy.

• Venue: James O Fairfax Theatre
• FREE

An informative introduction to Renaissance by a Gallery staff member prior to an exclusive exhibition viewing after hours.

• Venue: James O Fairfax Theatre
• Bookings essential
• $40, $35 members/concession (includes exhibition entry)
• limited numbers, bookings through ticketek.com.au

Lucina Ward, Curator, International Painting and Sculpture, discusses lithographs in the Gallery's collection that the Arundel Society (1848–1897) produced to illustrate key paintings by Renaissance artists.

• Venue: Collection Study Room
• Bookings essential
• Free
• Email enquiry limited numbers

During Enlighten 2012, the exhibition Renaissance is open to 10.00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Live music and performance of Italian Renaissance dance with Earthly Delights Historic Dance Academy. See enlightencanberra.com

During Enlighten 2012, the exhibition Renaissance is open to 10.00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Live music and performance of Italian Renaissance dance with Earthly Delights Historic Dance Academy. See enlightencanberra.com

During Enlighten 2012, combine your love of art and food with an evening viewing of Renaissance, followed by an Italian inspired three-course dinner with fine Italian wines. James Kidman, the Gallery's Executive Chef, talks about his new cookbook Renaissance table and Christine Dixon, co-ordinating curator of Renaissance, provides insight into the food of the Renaissance period. Package includes exhibition entry, dinner, fine wines and James Kidman's cookbook Renaissance table. Packages are available through ticketek.com.au."

• Venue: Gandel Hall

Saturdays and Sundays. Avoid the crowds and experience the exhibition with a limited number of visitors. Doors open at 9.00 am, prior to the public opening time at 10.00 am. Breakfast option available.

• Venue: Temporary Exhibitions Gallery
• Bookings essential
• $50, $45 members (adults only, no concessions)
• limited numbers, bookings through ticketek.com.au

Celebrate the art of sculpture with art workshops and installations in the Sculpture Garden. Drop-in workshops for children and their families are facilitated by local artists, university and CIT students, the Gallery's voluntary guides and staff. Bring a picnic to share under the trees and enjoy local bands. Coffee and sausage sizzle available for purchase. More information at nga.gov.au/SculptureGardenSunday.

• Venue: Sculpture Garden (subject to weather)

Prepare to laugh and fall in love. The Song Company and guest artists Tommie Anderson (lute/theorbo/guitar) and Laura Vaughan (lirone/gamba) present A boat from Venice bound for Padua by Banchieri (1568–1634), a hilarious musical comedy set in Venice, which tells the story of an unlikely encounter in a small boat. The comedy is complemented by nine beautiful madrigals by Monteverdi (1567–1643).

• Venue: Gandel Hall
• Bookings essential
• $40, $35 members/concession, $32 under 30, $15 student
• Email enquiry bookings essential, eventbookings@nga.gov.au or online at cityrecitalhall.com

An informative introduction to Renaissance by a Gallery staff member prior to an exclusive exhibition viewing after hours.

• Venue: James O Fairfax Theatre
• Bookings essential
• $40, $35 members/concession (includes exhibition entry)
• limited numbers, bookings through ticketek.com.au

During Enlighten 2012, the exhibition Renaissance is open to 10.00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Live music with musicians from ANU School of Music. See enlightencanberra.com

During Enlighten 2012, the exhibition Renaissance is open to 10.00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Live music with the Ladies Mantle choral group. See enlightencanberra.com

During Enlighten 2012, combine your love of art and food with an evening viewing of Renaissance, followed by an Italian inspired three-course dinner with fine Italian wines. James Kidman, the Gallery's Executive Chef, talks about his new cookbook Renaissance table and Christine Dixon, co-ordinating curator of Renaissance, provides insight into the food of the Renaissance period. Package includes exhibition entry, dinner, fine wines and James Kidman's cookbook Renaissance table. Packages are available through ticketek.com.au.

• Venue: Gandel Hall

Saturdays and Sundays. Avoid the crowds and experience the exhibition with a limited number of visitors. Doors open at 9.00 am, prior to the public opening time at 10.00 am. Breakfast option available.

• Venue: Temporary Exhibitions Gallery
• Bookings essential
• $50, $45 members (adults only, no concessions)
• limited numbers, bookings through ticketek.com.au

Discover the value of drawing together with Gallery educators Adriane Boag and Roy Marchant. Come as a family, a group or an individual.

• Venue: throughout the Gallery
• Bookings essential
• $12, $10 members (includes materials)
• Email enquiry book now

A cinema classic written and directed by Ingmar Bergman and set during the time of the Black Death. The life of a medieval knight (Max von Sydow) is on the line in a game of chess against Death (Bengt Ekerot).

• Venue: James O Fairfax Theatre
• FREE

Anne O'Hehir, Assistant Curator, discusses the new photography display Penguins and ice: photographs of Antarctica 1910–2010.

• Venue: Photography gallery
• FREE

An informative introduction to Renaissance by a Gallery staff member prior to an exclusive exhibition viewing after hours.

• Venue: James O Fairfax Theatre
• Bookings essential
• $40, $35 members/concession (includes exhibition entry)
• limited numbers, bookings through ticketek.com.au

Brian Ladd, sculpture specialist, examines the development of monumental figurative sculpture in Renaissance Italy, highlighting major works by the foremost exponents of sculpture including the incomparable Florentines, Donatello and Michelangelo.

• Venue: James O Fairfax Theatre
• FREE

Renaissance opens after hours exclusively for members and their guests. Avoid the crowds and relax with a glass of sparkling wine on arrival.

• Venue: Temporary Exhibitions Gallery
• Bookings essential
• $40 members, $45 guests
• Email enquiry book now

Saturdays and Sundays. Avoid the crowds and experience the exhibition with a limited number of visitors. Doors open at 9.00 am, prior to the public opening time at 10.00 am. Breakfast option available.

• Venue: Temporary Exhibitions Gallery
• Bookings essential
• $50, $45 members (adults only, no concessions)
• limited numbers, bookings through ticketek.com.au

Discover the value of drawing together with Gallery educators Adriane Boag and Roy Marchant. Come as a family, a group or an individual.

• Venue: throughout the Gallery
• Bookings essential
• $12, $10 members (includes materials)
• Email enquiry book now

Nine bawdy tales of love and life, wit and practical jokes adapted from Decameron by 14th-century Italian author and poet Giovanni Boccaccio. Directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini.

• Venue: James O Fairfax Theatre
• FREE

Settle into your Sunday afternoon over aperitifs and antipasti and an introduction to Renaissance by co-ordinating curator Christine Dixon.

• Venue: Gandel Hall
• Bookings essential
• $60 members, $65 guests (includes exhibition entry)
• Email enquiry book now

An informative introduction to Renaissance by a Gallery staff member prior to an exclusive exhibition viewing after hours.

• Venue: James O Fairfax Theatre
• Bookings essential
• $40, $35 members/concession (includes exhibition entry)
• limited numbers, bookings through ticketek.com.au

Simon Elliott, Assistant Director, Curatorial and Educational Services, provides an overview of the visual delights included in Renaissance.

• Venue: James O Fairfax Theatre
• FREE

See expert Italian Renaissance glassmaking techniques demonstrated by renowned glass artist Tom Rowney and his team, with narration by Clare Belfrage, Creative Director, Canberra Glassworks. Enjoy a glass of wine and view the current Glassworks exhibition.

• Venue: Canberra Glassworks
• Bookings essential
• $15, $10 member/concession
• Email enquiry book now

Josie and The Emeralds performs a program of Italian Renaissance music based on themes from the exhibition, including works by Dufay, Giovanni Bassano, Monteverdi, Palestrina and Merulo. Buy tickets to both Josie and The Emeralds (24 March) and La Bergamasca (31 March) for only $60 (no concessions)

• Venue: James O Fairfax Theatre
• Bookings essential
• $45, $40 members/concession
• Email enquiry book now

Saturdays and Sundays. Avoid the crowds and experience the exhibition with a limited number of visitors. Doors open at 9.00 am, prior to the public opening time at 10.00 am. Breakfast option available.

• Venue: Temporary Exhibitions Gallery
• Bookings essential
• $50, $45 members (adults only, no concessions)
• limited numbers, bookings through ticketek.com.au

An informative introduction to Renaissance by a Gallery staff member prior to an exclusive exhibition viewing after hours.

• Venue: James O Fairfax Theatre
• Bookings essential
• $40, $35 members/concession (includes exhibition entry)
• limited numbers, bookings through ticketek.com.au

Experience the music of Late Renaissance northern Italy with Aria award-nominated baroque trio Latitude 37. From the austere yet passionate beauty of Rognoni and Castello to the cascading notes of Merulo and rowdy country dances. Buy tickets to both Josie and The Emeralds (24 March) and La Bergamasca (31 March) for only $60 (no concessions)

• Venue: James O Fairfax Theatre
• Bookings essential
• $45, $40 members/concession
• Email enquiry book now

Saturdays and Sundays. Avoid the crowds and experience the exhibition with a limited number of visitors. Doors open at 9.00 am, prior to the public opening time at 10.00 am. Breakfast option available.

• Venue: Temporary Exhibitions Gallery
• Bookings essential
• $50, $45 members (adults only, no concessions)
• limited numbers, bookings through ticketek.com.au

Lucina Ward, Curator, International Painting and Sculpture, examines Giovanni di Paolo's Crucifixion with donor Jacopo di Bartolomeo c?1455, from the Gallery's collection, and compares it to other works incorporating gold.

• Venue: James O Fairfax Theatre
• FREE

Saturdays and Sundays. Avoid the crowds and experience the exhibition with a limited number of visitors. Doors open at 9.00 am, prior to the public opening time at 10.00 am. Breakfast option available.

• Venue: Temporary Exhibitions Gallery
• Bookings essential
• $50, $45 members (adults only, no concessions)
• limited numbers, bookings through ticketek.com.au