The National Gallery is marking a significant milestone, with over 1 million visitors in the UK attending its touring exhibitions over the past decade.
This achievement coincides with the 10th anniversary of its flagship series, The National Gallery Masterpiece Tour, as the Gallery invites new partners for its upcoming 2025-27 project.
Since the launch of the Masterpiece Tour, which fosters collaborations between the National Gallery and various museums, galleries, and art centres outside of London, 1,004,763 individuals have engaged with a variety of exhibitions showcasing masterpieces from the Gallery’s esteemed collection.
In line with its mission to share art across the UK, the latest edition of the Masterpiece Tour will grant four UK institutions the opportunity to display three major works from the National Gallery over three years. Open for partnerships from 29 July until 27 September 2024, these collaborations aim to reach diverse audiences with the first exhibition slated for autumn 2025. Building on a year of NG200 celebrations, which saw twelve masterpieces exhibited in locations accessible to a significant portion of the UK population, the initiative continues to reinforce the National Gallery’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility in art.
Highlighting the first exhibit of the new Masterpiece Tour will be Monet’s “The Petit Bras of the Seine at Argenteuil” (1872), a piece rarely loaned out in recent years. Known for his deft handling of light and composition, Monet captures a serene moment along the river, allowing the partners to create displays that resonate with their local communities. Additionally, each partner will connect with a local organisation to enhance the exhibition experience, supported by extra funding from the National Gallery to foster meaningful community engagement.
Dr. Gabriele Finaldi, Director of the National Gallery, emphasised the importance of bringing the collection to audiences across the nation, highlighting that the growing interest evidenced by recent visitor numbers underscores a collective desire to engage with art. Meanwhile, Alexandra Kavanagh, Head of National Touring Exhibitions, stated that these partnerships not only showcase beloved works but also strengthen the cultural fabric of the UK. Through such collaborations, organisations can expand their reach and enhance their resilience, as illustrated by the success of York Museums Trust’s recent National Treasures exhibition, according to Trustee Chair James Grierson.