Monet's Masterpiece Is Coming to Hull – Here’s What You Need to Know

\Hull’s Ferens Art Gallery has landed an incredible opportunity—it’s about to host a Claude Monet painting, thanks to a major partnership with The National Gallery. The painting, The Petit Bras of the Seine at Argenteuil (1872), is part of the National Gallery Masterpiece Tour 2025-27.

This means locals and visitors to Hull will get to see a genuine Monet up close, without having to travel to London or beyond. And the best part? Ferens isn’t just putting the painting on a wall—it’s creating an immersive exhibition, designed to make art more accessible to all.

Let’s dive into the details.

What is the National Gallery masterpiece tour?

Since 2014, The National Gallery has been sharing its world-famous collection through the Masterpiece Tour. Over 1.4 million people have visited these exhibitions across the UK, giving more people the chance to experience incredible art without needing to travel.

The latest tour includes four partner galleries:

• Ferens Art Gallery (Hull)
• Sainsbury Centre (Norwich)
• South Shields Museum and Art Gallery
• Grundy Art Gallery (Blackpool)

Each venue will display a different National Gallery masterpiece each year, creating exhibitions tailored to their local communities.

Why Is Monet’s painting so special?

Monet’s The Petit Bras of the Seine at Argenteuil (1872) is a rarely loaned masterpiece—it has only left The National Gallery once in the past 20 years.

So what’s it about?

Imagine a peaceful winter scene just outside Paris. The Seine River is calm, reflecting the sky and trees. A few buildings peek through in the background, hinting at the industrial growth of the time. But Monet wasn’t interested in painting factories or busy streets—he focused on tranquility, capturing a quiet moment by the river with his signature soft brushstrokes and glowing light.

It’s classic Impressionism—a style that aimed to capture fleeting moments rather than precise details. And now, Hull gets to experience it firsthand.

A Hull exhibition like no other

At Ferens Art Gallery, the Monet painting won’t just be another framed masterpiece on the wall. The gallery is teaming up with Flourish, a creative group designed for children, young people, and disabled or neurodivergent visitors.

Together, they’ll transform the space into a multi-sensory, immersive experience, designed to engage visitors in new ways. Expect:

• Sounds that bring the scene to life
• Scents that evoke Monet’s riverside setting
• Tactile elements that add a hands-on experience

This approach is all about making art more inclusive—ensuring everyone, regardless of ability, can connect with the painting in their own way.

What people are saying

Hull City Council

Councillor Rob Pritchard, who oversees culture and leisure, is thrilled:

“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. I look forward to seeing the exhibition come together with Flourish and know it will prove extremely popular.”

The National Gallery

Director Sir Gabriele Finaldi highlights why this tour matters:

“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.”

Over the last decade, more than one million people have visited these touring exhibitions—a clear sign that demand for accessible art is growing.

Hiscox (Exhibition Sponsor)

Robert Read, Head of Art at Hiscox, adds:

“We are now entering the eighth year of our relationship with the National Gallery and are very supportive of the Masterpiece Tour’s commitment to bringing important works of art to a wider audience.”

When can you see it?

The exact dates for Hull’s exhibition haven’t been announced yet, but expect to see Monet’s masterpiece at Ferens Art Gallery sometime in 2025.

Since admission is free, there’s really no excuse to miss this rare chance to see a world-class artwork right in the heart of Hull.

So, whether you’re an art lover, a curious newcomer, or just someone looking for something unique to do—mark your calendars. This will be one exhibition you won’t want to miss.