Famous Renoir painting The Umbrellas to go on display in Leicester

The Umbrellas by Renoir will be one of 12 paintings that go on display in UK on 10 May

A masterpiece by impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir will be showcased at a museum in Leicester from next month.

The Umbrellas will go on display at Leicester Museum and Art as part of the National Gallery's celebrations to mark its 200th anniversary.

National Treasures: Renoir in Leicester will open on 10 May and welcome visitors until 1 September.

City mayor Peter Soulsby said he was "excited" about the piece's arrival.

Painted between 1881 and 1886, the artwork shows a busy Paris street scene full of people using umbrellas against the rain.

Renoir was considered one of the best-known painters from the impressionist movement, and The Umbrella is said to be one of the greatest works of impressionist art.

'Huge privilege'

Leicester City Council said preparations had started ahead of the exhibition's unveiling.

Mr Soulsby said: "It is a huge privilege for Leicester to be loaned such an iconic and important piece of late-19th Century art, and we're excited to be part of the National Gallery's 200th anniversary celebrations.

"I am sure that the chance to see Renoir's The Umbrellas will encourage even more people to discover what Leicester's museums have to offer visitors of all ages."

The city council says the painting will be the centrepiece of a gallery alongside a digital installation featuring a newly-commissioned animation from Leicester-based studio Kino Bino.

The loan forms part of the National Gallery's National Treasures year-long project for a festival of arts and culture, which will see 12 important artworks being loaned to 12 cities around the UK.

Constable's The Hay Wain will be displayed at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery while Monet's The Water-Lily Pond will be on show at York Art Gallery.