THE ARTS SOCIETY MAIDENHEAD TRIP TO THE WALLACE COLLECTION, TUESDAY 21 NOVEMBER 2023

When we booked our speaker for September, Stephen Duffy, whose talk was ‘The Founders and Treasures of the Wallace Collection, we also decided that it would be ideal as a trip for our members. This was definitely confirmed on hearing Stephen’s talk. The Wallace Collection is a museum in London occupying Hertford House in Manchester Square, the former townhouse of the Seymour family. It is named after Sir Richard Wallace, who along with the Marquesses of Hertford, built this extensive collection in the 18th and 19th centuries. It includes exceptional paintings, sculpture, ceramics, furniture, arms and armour and was gifted to Britain in 1900.

On arrival at the Museum, we went straight to the restaurant where had booked and enjoyed a coffee. It has a large glass ceiling and big plants everywhere that made you feel you were sitting outside on a sunny November day. We then broke into two groups and went off to enjoy our ‘Highlights Tour’ with Guides, Lynne and Christylle. Both ladies proved to be experts in their fields telling us about the history of the museum which was founded in 1892.

We passed through rooms with amazing Sevres China, furniture and paintings. At one point we stopped to look at an ornate cupboard which had been in the bedroom of Louis XV at Versailles – breath taking. There were incredible paintings by Canaletto, Turner and Bonington and many more. Madame Pompadour, who reigned over Louis and his court for over 30 years, looked down on us. In retirement she still gave him lots of advice and he was bereft when she died. Having been lucky enough to live near Versailles on many postings to Paris, it was fascinating to see all the beautiful furniture which also graced the court of Louis XIV known as ‘Le Roi Soleil.’

Eloise Clark
Chairman