Highlights From The Wallace Collection: The Back Stateroom

Ah, The Wallace Collection! Even knowing I’ll focus only on the highlights, the vastness of this treasure trove feels almost overwhelming. Every room promises discoveries at every turn and I know taking it all in in one visit is nearly impossible.

Yet here I am in London, returning after far too long to one of my favorite museums. I’ve wandered through many remarkable collections, but The Wallace Collection holds a special place at the top of my list. The anticipation hums in the air as I step through its doors. I’m ready to lose myself once again amongst centuries of art, decorative objects and masterful paintings.

I’ve learned to embrace the challenge: rather than attempting to take it all in, I’ll focus on a select few highlights and savor each encounter. And with that, my exploration begins – eager, wide-eyed and ready for the treasures that await.

The Back Stateroom

Stepping into the Back Stateroom, I’m immediately struck by the rococo elegance of the space, dating back to the time of Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour. The deep red walls make the furniture and décor pop and the room’s generous size allows the rich colors to shine without feeling heavy.

One painting draws me in: Jan Weenix’s Flowers on a Fountain with a Peacock (c.1700–1710). Its theatrical composition blends delicate natural details with architectural elements, all bathed in dramatic lighting that gives the scene a striking presence.

Nearby, an imposing chest of drawers from 1739 catches the eye, originally made for Louis XV’s bedroom at Versailles. The rococo style is everywhere: elegant curves, intricate scrolls, and playful asymmetry dance across the furniture and décor. Walking through the room, I feel the artistry and whimsy of the period, as if the space itself tells the story of luxury, taste and creativity under Louis XV.

Good To Know

The Wallace Collection began life as the private treasure trove of the Marquesses of Hertford, officially established in 1897. Sir Richard Wallace, the illegitimate son who inherited both the house and its extraordinary collection from his father, became its namesake. Following his death, his widow ensured that the collection would be shared with the nation, bequeathing it to the British public. A few years later, the state purchased the house, preserving the collection in its historic setting. When the Wallace Collection opened its doors in 1900, it allowed visitors to wander through the grand rooms, surrounded by centuries of art, decorative objects and European masterpieces – a glimpse into the tastes and lives of a remarkable family.

See some of the other rooms in the Collection or explore another of my favorite museums:

• The Dining Room
• European Armoury III
• East Gallery II
• The Front State Room
• Manolo Blahnik: An Enquiring Mind
• The Smoking Room
• National Museum of Beirut
• Museum of Islamic Art, Qatar
• National Gallery of Australia

Would I Return?

Yes. Absolutely and unequivocally yes.