Monet’s masterpiece, The Petit Bras of the Seine at Argenteuil (1872), will go on display at the Ferens Art Gallery this week as part of the Monet: Inspiring the Senses exhibition.
Opening tomorrow (Friday 19 June) Monet’s work will be shown alongside paintings from the Ferens’ own collection and artworks created by Flourish, a group of disabled and/or neurodivergent children and young people from Hull. The multi-sensory exhibition will also include an immersive soundscape, produced by local music practitioner, Donna Smith.
The artwork has been loaned to the gallery as part of The National Gallery Masterpiece Tour 2025 – 27. The tour offers four UK museums and galleries outside of London the opportunity to work with the National Gallery for three years and display three major artworks from the collection.
The painting, which has left the National Gallery only once in the last 20 years, depicts a tranquil scene of a winter day on the outskirts of the small suburban town of Argenteuil, not far from Paris.
Cllr Jackie Dad, deputy leader of the council with responsibility for culture said: “Securing this Monet for the Ferens is a historic moment for Hull’s cultural scene. It is a rare privilege to host a painting that hasn’t left the National Gallery in two decades. Even more inspiring is the fact that this masterpiece is in such good company, sitting alongside the bold, imaginative work of our local ‘Flourish’ youth group. I encourage everyone to visit this is a summer exhibition that will be remembered for years to come.”
Kerri Offord, Curator of Art at Ferens Art Gallery said: “We are incredibly excited to showcase this fantastic painting by Monet at the Ferens. This is the first of three artworks to be lent to the Ferens by the National Gallery. With each artwork we also receive funds to allow us to work with our communities.
“For Monet’s painting we’ve had the privilege to experience the creativity of Flourish with Ferens collective. The young artists have created inspiring, poignant and fun multisensory responses to Monet’s painting, and works from the Ferens’ own collection.
“When you visit the exhibition, you will be able to experience Monet’s work in a way that is truly unique to Hull, through an experience crafted by the joy of creating!”
Alongside the exhibition there will also be a programme of events including an exclusive talk by Dr Chiara Di Stefano, Associate Curator of Post-1800 Paintings at the National Gallery, and an Immersive Music and Sound Experience in the Shadow of a Monet.
Monet: Inspiring the Senses will be on display at the Ferens Art Gallery from Friday 19 June to Sunday 13 September and entry is free. More information can be found at www.FerensArtGallery.co.uk.