The Wallace Collection is situated in Manchester Square, a few hundred yards from the hectic bustle of Oxford Street. It has a world-renowned range of fine and decorative arts from the 15th to the 19th centuries, presented in 25 galleries. Curiously overlooked by many visitors, possibly because it's nudged to the back by bigger, more well-known attractions and sights. Take the time to investigate, however - its intimacy could well propel it into your own personal-favourites list.

Formation

The collection was bequeathed to Sir Richard Wallace (1818-1890) -the illegitimate son of the 4th Marquess of Hertford (1800-1870). It was then donated to the nation, by his surviving widow. The museum opened to the public in 1900 in Hertford House, Manchester Square,where it has remained. A condition of the bequest was that no object ever leave the collection, even for loan exhibitions. Meaning, the only possibility of seeing these globally important works, is by paying a visit to the Wallace Collection.

The Wallace Collection contains nearly 5,500 objects and is best known for its eighteenth-century French paintings, Sèvres porcelain and French furniture.

The Wallace Collection also includes two paintings by Titian, four Rembrandts, three Rubenses, four Van Dycks, twenty-two Canalettos, nineteen Bouchers - and masterpieces by Hooch, Hals, Velázquezes, Gainsborough, Reynolds, Watteau and Guardi.

Furniture

The Wallace Collection includes one of the most important compilations of French furniture in the world. Totalling more than five hundred pieces, the collection consists largely of eighteenth-century French furniture but also includes some significant pieces from the nineteenth century too. One highlight is the furniture attributed to André-Charles Boulle (1642-1732), perhaps the most renowned of all cabinet-makers.

It's all very well summing up the contents of the gallery, as if there's an equation which relates the value of the art in it. The best facet of the Wallace Collection, is without doubt its intimacy. From strolling up to the entrance, you're greeted individually and warmly, there's someone knowledgeable on hand to direct you to the parts you may be most interested in - or you're encouraged to wander. It's a little like being let into someone's home, and aside from the odd rope to hold you back an inch or two, you can get very close to the objects. Some of the miniatures are hidden below screens to protect their frailty, but generally you're free to fully explore - and also trusted to treat the art, furnishings and building with respect. It's also easy to find yourself in a sumptuous room alone. There's no excited shrieking and elbowing for position, which can unfortunately accompany you through the busiest museums and galleries in London. Hertford House also feels as if it's in the middle of the English Countryside (which it originally was, of course), rather than a few hundred yards from the busiest shopping street in Europe.

If you've some time to kill and fancy learning something new in a relaxed and zen-like environment, there are few better places than the Wallace Collection. There's also a good cafe in the central courtyard.

(p.s. The red pin on the map below shows where the gallery is. Google's little building icon is in the wrong place, so follow the red pin).

The Wallace Collection, Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN

Bond Street Tube.

Call: +44 (0)207 563 9500

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