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The National Gallery’s The Petit Bras of the Seine at Argenteuil by Monet will be displayed at Blackpool’s Grundy Art Gallery in spring 2026 (28 March -13 June). Blackpool was chosen as one of four locations from over 30 museum and galleries that submitted an application to be part of The National Gallery Masterpiece Tour 2025-27.

This project will also see Grundy Art Gallery host other artworks in the future of art historical and art world significance from The National Gallery Collection.

The work selected for the first year is Monet's The Petit Bras of the Seine at Argenteuil (1872), a work which has left the Gallery only once in the last 20 years. Monet depicts a tranquil scene of a winter day on the outskirts of the small suburban town of Argenteuil, not far from Paris. Although the town was already partly industrialised and a popular location for sailing and leisure boating, Monet only hints at this developing bustle with a few scattered buildings behind a screen of trees. Instead, he focuses on an intimate moment by the river. The orderly composition, variety of brushstrokes and reflection in the water are all regular features of Monet's work.

Grundy Art Gallery will use its expertise in hosting contemporary art exhibitions to combine the display of Monet with a solo exhibition by the contemporary Northwest based painter Louise Giovanelli. Recognised as one of the most compelling artists of her generation, Giovanelli’s luminous paintings display her own mastery of materials and her expert skill at capturing light, reflection and shadow. Spring 2026 marks ten years since Giovanelli had her first solo exhibition at the Grundy, an occasion that was also the first solo exhibition of her career.

There will also be a schools’ exhibition at Blackpool’s Grundy Art Gallery following workshops responding to Monet’s work, and Monet’s painting will inspire Grundy’s programme of work with the pARTnership, a creative and professional development project for adults with a learning disability.

Hosting Monet in Blackpool continues Grundy’s ambition to bring world-class art to the town, and follows recent displays of work by art world greats such as LS Lowry, JMW Turner, Roy Lichtenstein, Louise Bourgeois, Tracey Emin and Grayson Perry.

Cllr Lynn Williams, Blackpool Council Leader and Chair of Grundy’s steering committee said:

“It is fantastic news that the Grundy Art Gallery has been selected for The National Gallery Masterpiece Tour. This is another example of how the Grundy is being recognised for the ambition and quality of its work and evidence of how Blackpool is being positively represented on a national and international stage. I am delighted that Blackpool residents will get an opportunity to experience art of such significance on their doorstep and that visitors to the town will have such an exciting arts and culture offer to explore.”

Alexandra Kavanagh, Head of National Touring Exhibitions, commented:

“National touring exhibitions are very important to the National Gallery and partnering with Grundy Art Gallery on the Masterpiece Tour does so much more than bring beloved paintings from the collection to other places in the UK - it will connect people and artists in the Northwest with paintings that belong to us all, and allow us to learn and expand our own practices and interpretations through the creativity of our partner, their contemporary programme and their communities.”

National Gallery Director Sir Gabriele Finaldi said:

“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. Partnering on touring exhibitions does so much more than bring beloved paintings from the collection to other places in the UK - it supports the whole country's cultural ecosystem, connects people with paintings that belong to us all, and allows us to learn and expand our own practices and interpretations through the creativity of our partner organisations and their communities. That over one million people have visited these exhibitions in the last decade proves the desire to engage with our collection is growing, and we look forward to welcoming the next million visitors across the UK.”

Since its inception in 2014, The National Gallery Masterpiece Tour has reached 400,953 people across the UK. Its National Touring programme, including The National Gallery Masterpiece Tour and other travelling exhibitions, has now reached 1,467,618 people since 2014. As part of its ongoing commitment to sharing the collection this exhibition partnership offers four UK museums, galleries and art centres outside of London the opportunity to work with the National Gallery for three years and display three major artworks from the collection. 

As part of this edition of the Masterpiece Tour, partners will also each connect with a local community organisation to support the exhibition or public programme related to the selected painting each year. Each partner will develop their own display to explore and draw out themes most relevant to them and their communities.  

The other organisations that will be taking part in The National Gallery Masterpiece Tour 2025-2027 are the Sainsbury Centre, Norwich; South Shields Museum and Art Gallery; and Ferens Art Gallery, Hull.

Specialist insurer Hiscox, is proud to support The National Gallery 2025-27 Masterpiece Tour

Newsroom

Monet painting to be exhibited at Grundy Art Gallery in National Gallery Masterpiece Tour

Blackpool Council is delighted to announce that The National Gallery, London has selected Grundy Art Gallery to be one of four museums and galleries from across the country to take part in the prestigious The National Gallery Masterpiece Tour 2025 to 2027.

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