One of the most iconic paintings in the history of art is about to go on public display in York.
Seen on a million prints, mugs and tote bags, the priceless original version of ‘The Water-Lily Pond’ by Claude Monet now has pride of place at York Art Gallery.
It will go on show tomorrow, Friday, 10 May, and remain on display until 8 September.
‘The Water-Lily Pond’ is one of 12 paintings from the National Gallery’s collection which are going on loan at 12 locations around the UK to mark the institution’s 200th birthday.
Painted by one of the founders of the Impressionist movement, the oil-on-canvas work, dating from 1899, is the centrepiece of a York exhibition bringing together key loans from regional and national institutions alongside collection works.
Admission to Monet exhibition
York residents get in for the discounted fee of £6.30 per adult, and one York child goes free (valid ID required).
For other adults it is £7, £6.30 for students, and children aged four or less go free.
You can pre-book your tickets here
Dr Beatrice Bertram, senior curator at York Art Gallery, said: “We are delighted to be hosting this beautiful and much-loved painting by Monet as part of the National Gallery’s Bicentenary events.
“Taking our cue from the artist’s lush canvas, our exhibition will explore open-air painting, celebrate the enjoyment of nature, landscapes and gardens, and connect indoor and outdoor spaces.”
Also forming part of the exhibition is a vibrant new commission by acclaimed contemporary artist Michaela Yearwood-Dan.
In ‘Una Sinfonia’, Yearwood-Dan shows her new work for the first time. The London-born artist has previously exhibited in the USA, Italy and Morocco.
Yearwood-Dan’s paintings will be displayed alongside other works by artists such as Roy Lichtenstein and Utagawa Hiroshige.
The Monet loan has also inspired York Art Gallery to plant a wildflower meadow in its gardens.
“We’ll be encouraging audiences to get creative and engage in open-air sketching. We can’t wait to welcome visitors to York to see the painting and exhibition for themselves,” said Dr Bertram.
The exhibition at York Art Gallery is supported by wealth management company JM Finn and Little Greene Paint Company as the official paint partner.
