More than 4,000 people have visited the gallery already this spring, more than doubling the average visitor numbers for the same period as last year.
The Grundy is hosting Claude Monet’s ‘The Petit Bras of the Seine at Argenteuil’ (1872) until 13 June as part of the National Gallery Masterpiece Tour 2025-2027.
Blackpool is the first place in the north-west to display the French Impressionist’s oil on canvas piece, which has only otherwise left The National Gallery once in the last 20 years.
Paulette Brien, Curator at Grundy Art Gallery, said:
“It’s been a privilege to host the Monet painting as part of the Masterpiece Tour.
“We’ve chatted to many visitors who’ve told us they feel privileged to see a Monet not only outside of a big city, but in their hometown. We’ve also had people visiting from as far afield as Versailles and Oregon, USA.
“And to hear local people say things like ‘the Grundy is doing amazing work’, just reinforces how important art galleries and museums like ours are in people’s lives.”
Blackpool’s place in the National Gallery Masterpiece Tour reinforces the town’s position as a thriving hub for arts and culture, as it bids to be UK City of Culture 2029. It also comes as Grundy Art Gallery celebrates its 115th birthday this year.
Blackpool Council is working with Creative Blackpool to develop the City of Culture bid. If successful, Blackpool would receive £10m to host a year-long celebration of arts and culture for the benefit of residents, visitors and businesses.
Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council and Cabinet Member for Tourism, Arts and Culture, added:
“The Grundy Art Gallery is just one of our many cultural gems in Blackpool.
“This latest exhibition has been one of a number of springboards for our City of Culture bid and the thousands of people making the trip to the Grundy demonstrate the real appetite for arts and culture in Blackpool. We are so lucky to have access to so much culture, right on our doorstep.
“Having the opportunity to see a world-renowned Monet painting here in Blackpool is incredibly important. Art of this significance, master pieces, should be accessible to everyone, and bringing works like this to the town helps break down barriers, ensuring that people of all ages and backgrounds can experience internationally celebrated culture without needing to travel to London or Manchester.
“It also challenges outdated perceptions of Blackpool, showcasing our town as a place where culture, creativity and ambition thrive. We’re all thrilled that so many people, young and old and from near and far, have been to see the Monet painting and felt inspired by it.”
Hundreds of schoolchildren have also visited and been inspired by the Monet painting.
More than 600 children from 10 primary and secondary schools have joined the Grundy x Monet schools programme, touring the gallery and seeing the oil painting up close.
Led by freelance artist Tina Dempsey, the children have learned about Monet’s technique of portraying light and reflection and then created their own artwork. These are now being displayed in the foyer of the Grundy, creating an ever-growing, collaborative artwork.
The painting has inspired young people from The Magic Club, too. Working with artist Kelly Jayne Jones, members of the Claremont-based youth club produced a new sound work in response to their experience of the painting, with this now being available for visitors to listen to alongside the Monet.
The Monet painting is being shown alongside a solo exhibition by the contemporary North West-based painter Louise Giovanelli, whose luminous paintings display her own expert skill at capturing light, reflection and shadow.
The Monet exhibition continues until Saturday 13 June. Louise Giovanelli’s exhibition continues until Sunday 28 June.
Residents are being encouraged to back Blackpool Council’s City of Culture bid. Visit www.blackpool.gov.uk/cityofculture to share your support.