A really great collection in Marylebone gifted to the nation from Sir Richard Wallace. It is believed to be the single greatest gift of art by anyone and inluded the actual London family home of Hertford House where the collection is housed.
Collected by his 3 predecessor the Maurquises of Hertford, it has half a dozen Rembrandts, Van Dyks, Titians, Gainsborough and the list goes on. Also an amazing collection of furnishings decorative bowls cameos and statues.
Part of the collection is rooms of medeival amoury and weapons.
Hertford House
Although it is wonderful, I have never been crowded there, it appears to not have same drawing power as National Gallery nor Tate, but that is to our advantage.
Mum and Leann were suitably impressed and we wandered through for a couple of hours absorbing the wonders on offer.
Main Gallery room
The main gallery is spectacular, however is only a fraction of the floor space which has loads of other rooms suffed with treasures.
The Laughing Cavalier by Frans Hals
Cultured up we then went for a late lunch at The Ivy Cafe where we caught up with Leah and over a wine and a couple of G&Ts talked through the art.
Bidding farewll to Leah the 4 of us walked down to Bond St station for the tube (very hot) ride to Canary Wharf where we met up with Scott, Ritchard, Kevin and his family. Nice interlude on way home and broke up the trip nicely.
Finally home around 7.00 we relaxed for the evening, still outside enjoying this tremendous UK summer (a rarity).
Up today and Mum has gone off to get her nails done and we are off to a West End show tonight. Again it is one I saw last year (Kinky Boots) but it is fun and am sure Mum will enjoy.
Until next time. Ciao
On my (next) London list!
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