One of the world’s most famous paintings is coming to York

To celebrate the 200th birthday of the National Gallery, the gallery is loaning out 12 of its most iconic paintings across the UK – and one of them is coming to York.

York Art Gallery will be hosting The Water-Lily Pond (1899) by Claude Monet as part of the National Treasures project celebrating the National Gallery’s bicentenary.

Each partner venue – including York – will receive a masterpiece from the gallery’s collection and will curate around it, involving interpretation, community engagement and events, or exhibitions.

For the duration of the displays, 35 million people – more than half the UK population – will be within an hour’s journey of a National Gallery masterpiece​.

Morgan Feely, senior curator, York Art Gallery said: “We are delighted to be part of the National Gallery’s National Treasures loan project and thrilled that York Art Gallery will be hosting an iconic painting by Claude Monet.

“The Water-Lily Pond (1899) is an instantly recognisable masterpiece by one of art history’s greatest figures. Our gallery backs on to the beautiful York Museum Gardens. This loan will provide us with a fantastic opportunity to develop a programme of activity around the display which encompasses both the gallery and the gardens.

“Just as Monet took enormous pleasure in creating and painting his garden, we’re keen to encourage everyone to enjoy both spaces as a site for creative inspiration and wellbeing.”

The iconic painting will be on display at York Art Gallery from 10 May 2024.

Find out more at the York Art Gallery website.