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The Wallace Collection is one
of the finest private collections of art in the world.
The range of fine and decorative arts from the 16th - 19th
centuries was largely accumulated between 1802 - 75 by three
generations of the Hertford family, and Sir Richard Wallace.
Sir Richard was the protégé
of the 4th Marquis of Hertford, an ardent Francophile, and
Sir Richard was the sole heir of his collection of furniture,
porcelain and paintings, purchased in London for safe keeping
after the French Revolution.
In 1897 the collection was bequeathed
to the nation by Lady Wallace, wife of Sir Richard, with the
stipulation that it should go on permanent public exhibition
with nothing added or taken away. Admission to the museum
is free as part of the Wallace Collection's commitment to
remain accessible to all.
The Wallace Collection is housed
at Hertford House, Manchester Square, was originally built
by the 4th Duke of Manchester in 1776 - 88 and is a rare example
of a London town house occupying the whole northside of a
garden square.
Hertford House was badly damaged
during the Blitz but has since been repaired. Sir Richard
Wallace's late-18th century hallway and state drawing room
have been restored to the splendour of his original design.
A recent building project, designed by architect Richard Mather,
marked the centenary of the Wallace Collection, and included
the addition of four galleries and educational facilities
as well as and the covering of the courtyard with a glass
roof to create Café Bagatelle.
The Wallace Collection is best
known for its 18th century French paintings, furniture and
paintings. The closed collection is one of the finest
assemblies of French art outside Paris.
Amongst its many other treasures
are works by Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Reynolds, Gainsborough and
Romney. Highlights include Ruben's 'Rainbow Landscape',
Titian's 'Perseus and Andromeda', Nicholas Poussin's 'A Dance
to the Music of Time' and Frans Hals's 'The Laughing Cavalier'.
There is also a collection of
miniatures, gold boxes and medieval and Renaissance works
of art. In addition, the Wallace Collection also houses
a collection of sèvres porcelain and sculpture by Houdon,
Roubiliac and Rysbrack. Its collection of princely European
and Asian arms and armour is the finest in Britain.
The museum hosts exhibitions
highlighting aspects of the collection and there are many
special events during the year, mostly free of charge
Admission free
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