The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA) and the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art have announced an agreement to open one of the most ambitious exhibitions ever to be staged in Las Vegas.

Claude Monet: Masterworks from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, opening in January 2004, will show 21 of the museum’s Monet paintings – it has one of the largest collections of the artist’s work outside France.

Anticipating a significant increase in attendance during the exhibition, the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art will be extending its opening hours from 9am to 9pm.

The exhibition marks the largest loan of Monet paintings by the MFA to a single institution in more than a decade and includes works from nearly every period of the artist’s life.

“Just as Monet and the Impressionists redefined the ways in which we see the world, we seek new ways to bring thought-provoking and beautiful exhibitions to a growing audience,” explained MFA director, Malcolm Rogers.

Andrea Bundonis, president of the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Arts, said: “This epitomises our history of presenting exhibitions in collaboration with internationally renowned public institutions and private collections.”

Her views were echoed by Robert Baldwin, president and CEO of Mirage Resorts, who said: We are delighted and honoured to host this landmark Monet exhibition, which will further solidify Bellagio's reputation as a home for world-class art. We know that all visitors to Las Vegas will be enchanted by the rare opportunity to view this collection of masterpieces." Details: www.bgfa.biz