THE JEWEL IN THE VELVET BOX
The perfect prelude to your visit – this London Calling podcast serves up a taste of the art, the stories, and the sheer loveliness of the Wallace Collection.
Feast for the eyes.
“the pop-eyed girl kicking her shoe with such delicate indelicacy off over the crouching man below (I challenge any normal male not to identify more strongly with this character than almost any other character in paintings)”
The Wallace Collection is one of the most captivating private collections of
fine and decorative arts in the world. Independently collected by each of the
four Marquesses of Hertford in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries,
together with Sir Richard Wallace who inherited the collections in 1870 and
continued to add to it with gusto. It is one of the most incredible collections of
its type ever bequeathed by an individual collector to the nation. (Opened as a
museum 1900.)
Feast for the eyes indeed. Item: the Wallace’s magnificent cornucopia of Serves Porcelain, an astonishing array of French period furniture, together with a stunning assortment of clocks, barometers and sculptures.
Item: masterpieces by Titian, Boucher, Poussin, Hals, Jan Steen and Rubens. Perfect accompaniments to the exquisite furniture, clocks, etc.
To say nothing of Canaletto, Murillo, Fragonard, Greuze and Rembrandt.
Item: the magnificent Medieval and Renaissance gallery which includes Limoges enamel, Maiolica, Venetian glass and bronzes. Last but not least
the stunning, indeed princely collection of armour.
“Do not miss the equestrian figure in fifteenth-century Gothic armour, a stunning contortion of steel, the menace of its upflung sword matched by the menace of the remarkable spurs.”
Item: a great guided tour of the Wallace – it’s showpiece western art and culture seen by flashes of lightning.
It will give a fascinating insight to the collection and its historical background, the techniques involved in the making of the objects and paintings, but also the mode of collecting which the Hertford’s employed during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It is unique.
You will be amazed, delighted and bemused…
Nor does it end there. The Wallace rejoices in the best place in London to have cakes and tea. Or something more savoury if you prefer. A divine beautifully, naturally lit cafe set in a beguiling courtyard where you can relax, reflect, refuel and reinvigorate. And restored, perhaps return to some of the rooms. Yes, this is all in a house – a stately mansion – that was Wallace’s home.
In short, welcome to one of the best kept secrets in London. Welcome to a gracious, gratifying, civilised foray into the best London has to offer,
The Wallace Collection – as good as London gets.
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE GUIDING
charlie –
It really is a gem! So much to see but not overwhelming like many of the museums. A must see!
John Condon –
Thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the Wallace Collection last week with Sue. She is very knowledgeable and great fun and engaging, involving us all as she selected items to describe from paintings to furniture, snuff boxes to porcelain, I can’t wait to go back to this amazing place. Highly recommended.
Christoph Karner –
Having seen the Wallace collection already, I came especially for the guiding on this new walk.
And I am not disappointed.
Again a great new walk, led by Molly, who had been the guide on my first London Walks tour ( V&A in 2015). I have again learned a lot.
Molly is a wonderful guide.
Susan Macdonald –
What an informative and interesting couple of hours. Sue’s enthusiasm and knowledge gave an insight to a wonderful collection and I look forward to further visits to find other treasures.
Jilly –
Sue was our guide today and I learnt so much! It was a fabulous 2 hours. I’d highly recommend booking this tour / walk, especially if you love and are intrigued by the history of art.
Mary Brooks –
I did this walk today with Mollie. Her extensive knowledge of Art and the Wallace collection in particular made this walk informative and enjoyable. At our arrival at the House we were treated like guests with time to visit lockers and facilities before the start, great!
This is an excellent addition to LW, and thank you Mollie for such an enjoyable visit.
Jo H –
I have just been on this London walk around the Wallace Collection. Molly is not only extremely knowledgeable but she provides many interesting anecdotes and insights to the collection. I would highly recommend this walk!!!!
Harriet Calvert –
I have been to The Wallace Collection many times but having a guide made all the difference. Molly told us all sorts of interesting things about the porcelain collection. I usually walk right past these cases of china. Molly opened my eyes. Very enjoyable tour. Would recommend it. I will do another gallery walk because of this one.
Rowland Jefferys –
Do not miss this. Astonishing collection with Molly our wonderful guide bringing so many items to life and adding historical fact to add perspective to the collection. Loved it. A couple of hours of my day spent in education and appreciation………
Elena –
Hidden gem in the most beautiful part of London!
The moment you enter the museum you feel like Alice in Wonderland who magically found herself in a fairy land, and even better- without the magic potion!
The amount of masterpieces and objects of art, the luxury, that every room is filled with is breathtaking. To name a few: Rembrandt, Fragonard, Canaletto, Van Dyck, Titian, Hals, Gainsborough. But it the explanations of the wonderful guide, Sue, that make it all come alive. It does not look like from outside but the museum is big and even includes a vast collection of armour. Very professional and knowledgeable as well as passionate on the subject, she makes the tour an amazing day out! Pair it with the snack or lunch in the beautiful restaurant of the museum conservatory or alternatively walk the neighbouring streets of Marylebone village preparing for Christmas and it feels like all your problems are far away.