A Freedom of Information request shows that in May 2016, the NGA bought six armchairs from Melbourne designer furniture business Curious Grace at the cost of $3702 a chair, which included extra costs for specific upholstery. The total bill at Curious Grace, for "Featherston Contour chairs" was $22,652, including delivery costs. The chairs are a lime green colour and are named after the late Melbourne furniture designer Grant Featherston.

The Gallery also spent $6246 on chairs from Milan Direct, referred to by the gallery and the FOI request as "red swan chairs". The gallery said 10 chairs were covered by that invoice.

The chairs are only in an area that is only accessible by the gallery's members. Membership costs $80 a year for locals.

The purchase of the chairs came at the same time as the gallery was faced with significant budget cuts due to efficiency dividends. A Senate committee heard in May last year the gallery shed 20 of its 237 staff after it faced a $3.94 million budget cut in December 2015.

A gallery restructure in the 2016/17 financial year reaped $2.2 million in savings. Assistant director of engagement and development Alison Wright said the chairs were part of the restucture's cost-saving measures.

“Faced with additional government budget cuts in 2015/2016, the NGA was forced to make savings in its operations. One such savings measure was to review the arrangements in the members' lounge, which provided full cafe and lunch services for members. In order to save approximately $200k per annum, it was decided to remove the catering facility, given that the NGA’s main cafe was in close proximity and open all day. This provided the opportunity to undertake a refurbishment of the members' lounge, and to introduce a self-service coffee and tea facilities," Ms Wright said.

"The economic rationale for the change was compelling, and was approved by the NGA’s council."

The high price tag came from the gallery's decision to choose pieces designed in Australia.

"In acquiring new furniture, the NGA made a conscious decision to support, whenever we could, Australian designed items. The cost of the furniture was carefully considered, and within budget. In considering the options, the furniture selected was of high, durable quality at a reasonable cost," Ms Wright said.

"Our members are a vital part of the NGA community and their annual fees go back into delivering programs and products. We are continually looking at ways to be efficient in a challenging financial environment, while providing members with an excellent experience."

The National Gallery will be one of the institutions probed at the government's inquiry into the capital's museums and galleries and how the institutions have handled budget cuts.

The gallery's budget in 2016/17 was more than $50 million.

Fairfax Media asked the gallery if a photo could be taken of the armchairs in the members lounge, but a spokeswoman said it would disrupt the use of the lounge by members.