Monet masterpiece to go on show at Ferens
CLASSIC MONET: The Petit Bras of the Seine at Argenteuil
By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor
A Monet masterpiece will go on display at Ferens Art Gallery this week as part of an exhibition in his honour.
The Petit Bras of the Seine at Argenteuil (1872) will be on display from Friday, June 19, until Sunday, September 13, as part of the Monet: Inspiring the Senses exhibition.
It is only the second time the painting has left the National Gallery in 20 years and is being loaned to the gallery as part of The National Gallery Masterpiece Tour 2025 – 27, which offers four UK museums and galleries outside London the opportunity to work with the National Gallery for three years and display three major artworks from the collection.
The picture depicts a tranquil scene of a winter day on the outskirts of the small suburban town of Argenteuil, near 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.
It is being 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.
Kerri Offord, Curator of Art at the Ferens, 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.”
Councillor Jackie Dad, deputy leader of Hull City 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.”
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.
Entry to the gallery is free.