The National Gallery and HP have teamed up with York Art Gallery to unveil the Grand Tour in York.

The project follows on from the success of a similar Grand Tour on the streets of central London in June 2007.

Full sized reprints of paintings from the National Gallery and York Art Gallery will go on show around the streets of York for the next 17 weeks.

A total of 49 reproductions, including masterpieces from Monet and Van Gogh, will be hung around the city's historic streets in some unexpected and unusual places.

Oscar-winning actress Dame Judi Dench has put her support behind the project. "Being from York myself, I cannot think of a more deserving city to receive this magical gift," she said.

"The Grand Tour in York is a truly brilliant initiative that reproduces extraordinary works of art and makes them readily available to the local community to enjoy at their leisure."

Each picture will be in a replica frame, and an information plaque offers details about the painting and the artist. The displays are printed using a solvent ink making them resistant to light, water, stains, bleach and abrasion.

One of the highlights of the Tour is George Stubbs's Whistlejacket which was painted in 1762, three years after the horse enjoyed a famous victory at York Racecourse.

Stubbs lived in York during the early part of his career, and the city played a vital role in his life.

"Everybody at York Art Gallery has seized this great opportunity to bring the Grand Tour to York and work in collaboration with the National Gallery and HP," said Janet Barnes, chief executive of the York Museums Trust.

"We look forward to welcoming people from all over the world to enjoy showcases of our very own local treasures."

A map of the entire Grand Tour in York including a selection of 'mini-tours' with further information about the paintings and other details are available on the Grand Tour in York website.