Hull’s Ferens Art Gallery has been selected as one of four UK venues to host the National Gallery’s Masterpiece Tour 2025-27, bringing a celebrated Monet painting to the city.
As part of this prestigious tour, The Petit Bras of the Seine at Argenteuil (1872) by Claude Monet will be displayed at Ferens, alongside exhibitions at the Sainsbury Centre in Norwich, South Shields Museum and Art Gallery, and Grundy Art Gallery in Blackpool. This will be the first time the tour collaborates with four partners, extending its reach and impact.
Monet’s masterpiece, which has left London’s National Gallery only once in the past 20 years, captures a serene winter scene near Paris. Though Argenteuil was an emerging industrial hub and a hotspot for sailing, Monet’s focus remains on the peaceful riverside, framed by delicate brushstrokes and reflections in the water—hallmarks of his signature style.
Since its launch in 2014, the National Gallery Masterpiece Tour has drawn nearly half a million visitors across the UK, with over 1.4 million people engaging with the gallery’s broader touring programmes. Thanks to the continued support of Hiscox, this edition of the tour will also emphasize community involvement, with each gallery collaborating with local organizations to curate unique public programs.
At Ferens, the exhibition will be co-curated with Flourish, a creative group for children and young people that champions accessibility for disabled and neurodivergent visitors. Their innovative approach will transform the gallery into a multi-sensory space, allowing visitors to engage with the artwork through sound, touch, and even scent, alongside contemporary responses from Flourish’s artists.
Councillor Rob Pritchard, Hull City Council’s portfolio holder for culture and leisure, expressed excitement about the partnership: “Being part of this significant collaboration with the National Gallery is a great honour. Bringing such an iconic painting to Hull will be an incredible opportunity for residents and visitors alike. I can’t wait to see how Flourish contributes to making this exhibition truly special.”
National Gallery Director Sir Gabriele Finaldi emphasized the importance of accessibility in the arts: “The National Gallery’s collection belongs to everyone. Touring exhibitions like this not only allow more people to experience these masterpieces but also enrich the cultural landscape of the entire country.”
Hiscox’s Head of Art and Private Clients, Robert Read, reinforced their commitment to the arts: “Art is integral to our culture at Hiscox, and we are thrilled to support the Masterpiece Tour in bringing world-class paintings to wider audiences. We look forward to working with our partner galleries to extend this impact even further.”
With a strong commitment to inclusion and engagement, the Masterpiece Tour 2025-27 promises to be an unmissable cultural event. Hull’s art lovers will soon have the rare chance to see a Monet up close—right in the heart of their city.
About Claud Monet
Claude Monet (1840–1926) is widely regarded as one of history’s greatest artists. His revolutionary approach to capturing light and color on canvas set him apart, with only J.M.W. Turner coming close to his dedication in this pursuit. Monet’s work played a pivotal role in the development of Impressionism, a movement that transformed the art world and redefined artistic expression in the late 19th century.
Born in Paris and raised in Le Havre, Monet showed an early interest in art and honed his skills under the mentorship of renowned painters like Eugène Boudin. His early works were heavily influenced by plein air painting, emphasizing the transient effects of natural light. Over time, his distinctive style emerged, characterized by rapid brushstrokes and an unparalleled ability to depict atmospheric changes.
Monet’s artistic journey reached its peak with his mesmerizing series of waterlilies, painted in his beloved garden at Giverny. These works, with their near-abstract qualities, laid the foundation for modern abstract art. His innovative use of color and brushwork continues to captivate art lovers even a century later.
Aside from his famous waterlilies, Monet’s extensive body of work includes masterpieces such as Impression, Sunrise, Rouen Cathedral Series, and Haystacks, all of which showcase his evolving technique and relentless pursuit of visual harmony.