Collecting History, The Wallace Collection

The Wallace Collection’s latest exhibition, Collecting History, focuses on archival material and art works from Hertford House’s historic collection. Featuring prints, photographs, engravings and other never before seen historical material, this exhibition showcases the wide variety of taste and personal preferences of different periods in the Hertford family history that governed their collecting choices.
While perhaps not the most ground-breaking exhibition in The Wallace Collection history, the display brings to life the stories behind the family and their homes with a predictably impressive array of portraits and photographs. Particularly outrageous highlights include the satirical cartoons narrating King George IV’s love affair with the 2^nd Marchioness of Hertford while he was Prince.
Interestingly The Wallace Collection, London is not allowed to add to its main collection, which must remain as it was when Lady Wallace entrusted it to the nation in 1897. However, while the collection remains the same at its core, new acquisitions of archival material are permitted that shed light on the history of the works.
Housed in a historic London town house, The Wallace Collection is one of the most famous art galleries in London and a must for any local. With twenty nine galleries which boast an unrivalled collection of eighteen-century French art and Old masters, as well as important displays of Medieval and Renaissance art, this gem is one of the best free art galleries in London.