Hull's prestigious Ferens Art Gallery has announced an extraordinary lineup of exhibitions for 2026, combining the whimsical world of Finnish children's literature with masterworks of French Impressionism. The venue will showcase both the beloved Moomin characters created by Finnish illustrator and writer Tove Jansson and Claude Monet's celebrated painting "The Petit Bras of the Seine at Argenteuil," painted in 1872, as part of an ambitious cultural program.
The Moomin exhibition, titled "The Wonders of Moominvalley," will run from May 23 to September 6, 2026, featuring interactive installations, paintings, and immersive projections that bring Jansson's magical universe to life. The beloved characters, which first appeared in "The Moomins and the Great Flood" published in 1945, have since captivated audiences worldwide through 30 million books sold globally, along with TV animations, films, opera productions, and puppet shows.
In June, art enthusiasts will have the rare opportunity to view Monet's masterpiece "The Petit Bras of the Seine at Argenteuil" as part of the National Gallery Masterpiece Tour. The 1872 painting will be on display from June 19 to September 13, running alongside a specially curated exhibition developed in collaboration with Flourish, the Ferens Art Gallery's creative group dedicated to children and young people.
Councillor Rob Pritchard, who serves as the portfolio holder for culture and leisure, praised the Hull Museums teams for their exceptional work, stating they had "really excelled themselves" in creating an "incredibly diverse programme" for 2026. The comprehensive schedule reflects the gallery's commitment to offering varied cultural experiences that appeal to visitors of all ages.
The 2026 program extends beyond these headline exhibitions with several additional attractions. "Into The Stores," running from February 13 to May 4, will unveil artwork that has been hidden away in the Ferens' collection, giving the public access to previously unseen treasures. The "Fixing for the Future" exhibition will provide visitors with behind-the-scenes insights into how the gallery preserves and stores artwork, while also inviting community input for planning ahead of the gallery's centenary year in 2027.
The program also includes an Open Exhibition showcasing work by both amateur and professional artists, with special prizes designated for young artists aged 15 and under. Additionally, the Wilberforce House Museum and Streetlife Museum will host "20 Historical Women," featuring a collection by Doncaster-based artist Chinwe Russell that celebrates well-known modern and historical women who "changed the world."
This ambitious cultural initiative positions Hull as a significant destination for art lovers, combining international masterpieces with beloved children's literature characters in a program designed to engage diverse audiences throughout 2026.
