York Art Gallery is celebrating Midsummer with a unique twist during their major exhibition ‘Monet in York,’ which features Claude Monet’s iconic painting ‘The Water-Lily Pond.’ The centerpiece of the celebration is a stunning cake, crafted by the talented decorators at Bettys in York, and presented in a specially created wildflower meadow behind the gallery.
Since the exhibition’s opening on May 10, it has already attracted over 20,000 visitors, far surpassing the gallery’s expectations. The exhibition, which runs until September 8, has been a resounding success, drawing art enthusiasts from near and far.
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A Masterpiece in Cake
Crafting a Monet-Inspired Creation
Bettys, renowned for their exquisite cakes, were invited to create a special cake to honor Monet’s masterpiece. The cake decorators used a combination of traditional drawing, painting techniques, and cake decorating skills to recreate Monet’s distinctive loose brushstrokes and light-soaked palette. The result is a Genoese sponge cake layered with raspberry jam and buttercream, transformed into an edible version of ‘The Water-Lily Pond.’
Lee Usher, Assistant Branch Manager at Bettys, expressed the team’s excitement: “At Bettys, we love being part of people’s celebrations. When we heard that ‘The Water-Lily Pond’ was to be shown in York and had marked its 125th birthday, we were delighted to provide a cake for the exhibition. It’s been a lovely opportunity to demonstrate the skills of our talented cake decorators by transferring one of the world’s most-loved works of art from canvas to cake.”
An Inspirational Setting
Celebrating Art and Nature
Steve Williams, Garden Manager at York Art Gallery, highlighted the significance of the event:
“We are so pleased to celebrate midsummer in this beautiful setting – a setting that we are confident that many artists would find inspirational. As the only location in Yorkshire to host a ‘treasure,’ we are proud that visitors are keen to visit and make the time to enjoy all the exhibition entails. We are very grateful to Bettys for this delicious cake and delighted to share it with the team who are integral to the exhibition’s success.”
National Treasures Initiative
Bringing Masterpieces to the Public
York Art Gallery is one of twelve partners participating in the National Treasures initiative, which celebrates the 200th anniversary of the National Gallery by displaying masterpieces from its collection across the UK. The initiative aims to bring art closer to the public, with over 35 million people – more than half the UK population – within an hour’s journey of a National Gallery masterpiece during the displays.
The ‘Monet in York’ exhibition is supported by JM Finn, a wealth management company, and Little Greene Paint Company, the official paint partner. The exhibition not only showcases Monet’s work but also includes a large-scale commission by contemporary artist Michaela Yearwood-Dan, exploring Monet’s influence on modern art.
A Tribute to Claude Monet
The Enduring Influence of an Impressionist Master
Claude Monet (1840-1926), a founder of the Impressionist movement, is celebrated for his innovative approach to capturing light and color. ‘The Water-Lily Pond,’ painted in 1899, is a testament to his mastery and is the focal point of the ‘Monet in York’ exhibition. The exhibition explores Monet’s work in the context of 19th-century French open-air painting, the influence of Japanese prints on his style, and his beloved gardens in Giverny.
By including works by Monet’s contemporaries and artists he inspired, the exhibition highlights the enduring impact of Monet’s radical approach to painting. The exhibition also features a new commission by Michaela Yearwood-Dan, ‘Una Sinfonia,’ which further illustrates the lasting legacy of Monet’s artistic vision.
Visiting York Art Gallery
Plan Your Visit
York Art Gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm, with the Balcony Bar open from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm and the Museum Garden from 9 am to 6 pm. For more information on the gallery and associated events, visit York Art Gallery.
Behind the Scenes
The creation of the Monet-inspired cake involved 14 hours of meticulous work, with six hours dedicated to testing, practicing, and trialing techniques, and eight hours to decorate and finish. The cake decorating team used natural colors to replicate Monet’s palette, with royal icing for highlights to evoke the impressionist style. The creative team behind this masterpiece includes Elizabeth Robinson, Fran Simpson, and Anna Denison.
