Wallace Collection

Wednesday 17 June 2015

Venue: Fylde Rugby Club

This Special Interest Study Day will look at The Wallace Collection, the finest collection of works ever assembled by one family and now a national museum. Between 1780 and 1880 five generations of collectors; – four Marquesses of Hertford and Sir Richard Wallace (the illegitimate son of the 4th Marquis) each made their own special contribution.

In 1897, a French woman, Amelie-Julie-Charlotte, widow of Sir Richard Wallace, died in Hertford House, situated just off Oxford Street, and Britain received its largest ever private bequest. The house was originally built in the late 1700s for the 4th Duke of Manchester and was then used as the Spanish Embassy. In 1797, the lease was acquired by the 2nd Marquess of Hertford for his principal London residence. From 1836 to 1851 the house was let to the French Embassy but with the French Commune of 1871 Richard Wallace decided to move back to London from France bringing a substantial amount of his art collection with him. Before his death in1890, Wallace redeveloped the house with a range of galleries to house an outstanding collection of Old Master paintings which was later described by art historian and critic, Kenneth Clark, as the greatest picture gallery in Europe.  Highlights of the collection include paintings by Titian, Rembrandt, Hals and Velazquez, a wealth of 18th century French fine art, medieval and renaissance objects and European and Oriental arms and armour.   The first lecture will tell the fascinating story of the Wallace Collection’s formation and also present many of its finest treasures.

The second lecture will explain the formation of the miniatures collection and look in depth at some of its greatest works including examples by such artists as Samuel Cooper, Richard Cosway, Peter Adolph Hall and Jean-Baptiste Isabey. The many famous people depicted include Holbein, Louis X1V, the Duke of Wellington, Napoleon and Nelson’s famous mistress, Lady Hamilton.   The Wallace Collection owns over 330 miniatures dating from the sixteenth to the nineteenth century.   It is unique in its range and quality.

Programme for the Day

  • 10.30 am – 11.00 am: refreshments in the Function Room
  • 11.00 am – 12.15 pm: first lecture and any questions
  • 12.30 pm:  a two course lunch served in the Function Room  (a vegetarian option is available on application
  • 1.30 pm – 2.00 pm: Refreshments in the Function Room
  • 2.00 pm: second lecture and any questions
  • 3.15 pm – 3.30 pm: departure

Stephen Duffy, our NADFAS lecturer, was the Senior Curator before retiring last year after 20 years at the Wallace Collection .  He is an extremely experienced lecturer and tour guide, and the lectures will be very informative and entertaining. Enjoy the richness of this collection. It is well worth seeing.

Cost is £34.00 per person, payable when booking. A booking form is available here.

 

 

 

 

Below are photos of this Special Interest Day