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The National Gallery has announced that The Marquise de Seignelay will lead the next phase of its Masterpiece Tour, travelling to four UK venues between 2026 and 2027. The painting will visit South Shields Museum and Art Gallery, The Cooper Gallery in Barnsley, Grundy Art Gallery in Blackpool and Ferens Art Gallery in Hull, continuing the Gallery’s effort to bring major works from its collection to audiences beyond London.
Painted in 1691 by Pierre Mignard, the work presents Catherine-Thérèse de Goyon de Matignon-Thorigny, Marquise de Seignelay, as the sea goddess Thetis, accompanied by her son depicted as Achilles. Rich in symbolism, the portrait reflects her status and influence, with maritime imagery referencing her late husband’s role in the French Navy. The use of ultramarine, a costly pigment, further emphasises wealth and prestige, while the coastal setting links the figure to both myth and empire.
The tour has been designed in collaboration with partner institutions, many of which are located by the sea, offering a connection to the themes of the painting. Each venue will develop its own presentation in dialogue with local communities, working with young people and creative groups to shape exhibitions and public programmes. This approach builds on the Gallery’s wider touring strategy, which focuses on access and regional engagement.
Since launching in 2014, the Masterpiece Tour has reached hundreds of thousands of visitors across the UK. With this latest programme, the Gallery continues to extend the reach of its collection while encouraging new interpretations of historic works through local perspectives.
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