It may be easy to forget that the Wallace Collection was once home to the Marquesses of Hertford. It was one of at least four residences belonging to the family, in fact, which stretched across London, Suffolk, Paris and Northern Ireland.
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The principal front of the building presents us with an engaging puzzle. The façade may seem uniform, but if you look carefully, you’ll see three distinct phases of work spanning over 120 years.
History of Hertford House Hertford House (2020) by UnknownThe Wallace Collection
Let’s first start by looking at the main entrance, finding the two tiers of windows on either side. This central section, outlined by four tall white columns, called ‘pilasters’, is the remnant of a Georgian building called Manchester House.
It was built in 1776 by architect John Crunden for the 4th Duke of Manchester, after whom the square is named.
History of Hertford House His Hertford House (1813) by N/AThe Wallace Collection
When Sir Richard Wallace bought the building from his distant cousin, the 5th Marquess of Hertford, nobody had lived here for at least thirty-five years.
History of Hertford House Hertford House (2020) by UnknownThe Wallace Collection
Starting in 1872, Wallace altered the Georgian house radically: he added wings to the main front and refaced the whole building in bright red brick.
This work was traditionally attributed to Thomas Benjamin Ambler, but recent research suggests that Ambler was really a surveyor. As with every other part of the collection, it seems that Richard Wallace himself was creatively involved.
History of Hertford House Hertford House (2020) by UnknownThe Wallace Collection
In 1897, Taylor added the large main entrance that you see today – a Doric porte cochère – to allow a large flow of visitors. If you look closely, you’ll see that it’s a little too large for building.
The final phase of work saw the house converted to a museum by Sir John Taylor. Taylor was a prominent civic architect who designed the entrance hall of the National Gallery.
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Galleries replaced the stabling, coach-houses and smoking room and some private rooms on the first floor. Many substantial changes have been made since the museum opened in order to make it a welcoming place for generations of visitors. Continue exploring the collection here.
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