The Wallace Collection

(Apologies if this sounds a bit too much like an art history lesson. I like to share what I'm learning!)

Jenny calls it "a hidden gem" and she's absolutely right. From approximately 1760 to 1880, the 4 Marquesses* of Hertford and the son of the 4th Marquess, Richard Wallace, acquired an amazing collection of paintings, porcelain, furnishings, and other objets d'art from all over the world. The widow of Richard, Lady Wallace survived her husband, and honoring his wishes, left the entire collection to the State upon her death in 1897. It's called the greatest ever single bequest of art to a nation, and after visiting last Wednesday, I think that description is fitting.

Richard Wallace was the illegitimate son of the 4th Marquess, and his paternity was not acknowledged by the family until the death of his father in 1870, when the entire collection was bequeathed to him. According to our tour guide, Richard himself did not know that the 4th Marquess was his father, but acted as a sales room assistant and advisor to him. Can you imagine the reading of that will?!

The bulk of the collection was acquired by the 4th Marquess and by Richard Wallace. Wallace was living in Paris, as was his father at the time of his death, and in 1872 moved to the family home in London (the Hertford House) and eventually brought the collection there. The house was modified in order to accomodate the impressive works, and today it is as much a part of the museum as the objects it houses. (Fun fact: the house itself was first leased by the 2nd Marquess because of the substantial duck hunting in the area. It sits now a block from Oxford Street, arguably one of the busiest streets in London. Didn't see any ducks the day we were there... notta one.) It is a stunning place - in going through the first few rooms I felt as impressed as when we visited the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace over the summer.

A few highlights: One of the 83 known self-portraits of Rembrandt (original of course); François Boucher's portrait of Madame Pompadour, who was mistress to King Louis XV of France (back then the King's mistress would have her own title and status); and an unbelievable collection of Sèvres Porcelain, created at a factory in Sèvres, France in the mid-18th century - a factory that is still in production today. Most impressive on this visit was a gorgeous collection of furnishings commissioned for - and used by - Marie Antoinette! Wife to King Louis XVI! Queen of France! Had her head cut off! That Marie Antoinette! Pretty darn amazing.

Another pretty darn amazing fact is that the Wallace Collection is another free national museum. Truly hard to believe. There's talk of a policy change that would charge an entrance fee at national museums such as these - and I absolutely think they should. Starting in late 2012.

*A "marquess" is a nobleman of hereditary rank in various European monarchies.

http://picasaweb.google.com/swronsky/WallaceCollection?authkey=Gv1sRgCI_79engxfOnIA#