Monet masterpiece on tour of English galleries

A stunning artwork by the famous painter Claude Monet, titled 'The Petit Bras of the Seine at Argenteuil,' is set to tour four art galleries across England. This remarkable oil painting, created in 1872, features a picturesque view of the River Seine, with a row of trees lining one side and two figures standing in silhouette by the riverbank. The painting is part of the National Gallery's collection and will be showcased at various venues, including the Ferens Art Gallery in Hull. This exhibition presents a unique opportunity for art lovers and the general public to experience this significant piece of art up close. The painting captures a winter's day on the banks of the Seine, located on the outskirts of Paris. The tour is scheduled to begin in the autumn and will continue throughout the following year. In addition to the Ferens Art Gallery, the painting will also be displayed at the Sainsbury Centre in Norwich, South Shields Museum and Art Gallery, and the Grundy Art Gallery in Blackpool. This marks only the second occasion in the past 20 years that this artwork has left the National Gallery in London. The Ferens Art Gallery plans to create a 'multi-sensory immersive space' as part of the exhibition, which will include various smells, sounds, and touchable artworks designed specifically for disabled and neurodivergent visitors. Councillor Rob Pritchard from Hull City Council expressed his excitement, stating, 'It is a great honour to be part of this prestigious partnership with the National Gallery, offering residents and visitors to Hull a chance to see such a significant piece of artwork up close. ' The painting is expected to be displayed at the Ferens Gallery for three months, starting on June 19 next year. This exhibition will be the fourth stop on the National Gallery's 'Masterpiece' tour, which is set to kick off in Norwich in September this year, followed by South Shields in January 2026, and Blackpool in March 2026. Claude Monet, who passed away in 1926, is widely regarded as a founder of the impressionist movement. Some of his most renowned works include the 'Water Lilies' and 'Haystacks' series. In 2019, one of his 'Haystacks' paintings sold for an astonishing $110. 7 million. Sir Gabriele Finaldi, the director of the National Gallery, noted that over a million people have attended previous Masterpiece exhibitions. He stated, 'The National Gallery's collection belongs to all of us. It is part of our duty and our honour to look after these paintings and to bring them to where people are, not just expect them to come to us.