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The Petit Bras of the Seine at Argenteuil (1872) will go on show at Blackpool’s Grundy Art Gallery from March 28 as part of the National Gallery’s Masterpiece Tour 2025–2027.
It marks the painting’s first public viewing in the North West of England and only its second time leaving the National Gallery in two decades.
‘Incredibly Proud’
Councillor Lynn Williams, leader of Blackpool Council, said: “Welcoming a Monet masterpiece to Blackpool is an incredible achievement and a huge moment for the town.
“This exhibition puts Blackpool firmly on the national cultural map and gives residents and visitors alike the chance to experience a world-famous artwork right on their doorstep, free of charge.
“We are incredibly proud that Grundy Art Gallery has been chosen for this prestigious tour.”
The Grundy was selected from more than 30 UK venues and is one of only four galleries chosen to host the painting, alongside Sainsbury Centre in Norwich, South Shields Museum and Art Gallery, and Ferens Art Gallery in Hull.
The painting, an early example of Monet’s impressionist style, captures a tranquil winter day on the outskirts of Argenteuil, a suburban town near Paris.
It reflects the beginnings of his exploration into the subtle effects of light and atmosphere that would shape the impressionist movement.
The painting’s arrival continues Grundy Art Gallery’s tradition of bringing internationally celebrated art to Blackpool, having previously displayed works by LS Lowry, JMW Turner, Roy Lichtenstein, Louise Bourgeois, Tracey Emin, and Grayson Perry.
Paulette Brien, curator at Grundy Art Gallery, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for our audiences.
“Monet’s painting is intimate, calm and quietly powerful, and seeing it up close reveals the extraordinary sensitivity of his brushwork and use of light.
“We’re thrilled to be able to share this remarkable work with our community and to build creative programmes around it for people of all ages.”
Accessible art for all
The Masterpiece Tour is part of the National Gallery’s commitment to making its collection accessible across the UK.
Since 2014, the tour has reached more than 400,000 people, with nearly 1.5 million visiting the gallery’s national touring exhibitions to date.
Dr Gabriele Finaldi, director of the National Gallery, 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.”
How to see it
As part of the programme, Grundy Art Gallery will invite every Blackpool school to view the Monet and take part in workshops, culminating in a school-led exhibition.
Young people from The Magic Club will also work with artist Kelly Jayne Jones to create a new sound piece inspired by the painting.
The Petit Bras of the Seine at Argenteuil will be on display at Grundy Art Gallery from March 28 to June 13.
The gallery is open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10am to 4.20pm.
Admission is free.
For more information, visit www.thegrundy.org or call 01253 478170.
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