The Wallace Collection & The Swing

History of the Wallace Collection:

With one of the most significant selections of armoury in the world, The Wallace Collection in London is a rare gem. Complemented by the works of Old Masters and decorative arts, it offers a tranquil and bright immersion into a grandiose 17th-century townhouse. The building and its contents are an exclusive amalgamation of culture, history, design, colour, and heritage. The entire collection spans from East Asian and European ceramics to armoury from West Asia; it notably includes oil paintings by renowned European artists, golden upholstered furniture, and even modern works from practising artists. 

The townhouse, once the family's private residence at Manchester Square, a stone's throw from Bond Street, exudes a personal touch that invites visitors to feel like a part of England’s old aristocratic society. Sir Richard and Lady Wallace bequeathed the collection to England in 1897, and it is now cared for by the Department of Culture, Media, and Sport, which plays a crucial role in preserving and promoting the collection for future generations. The Wallace collection is open to the public and free of charge!

Each room within the Wallace Collection is a gilded masterpiece, with golden-clad upholstery, furniture, and bright wallpaper, giving the rooms distinct characters. The Grand Hall houses the largest of the works and was once host to lavish parties (think the likes of the Allied Sovereigns’ Ball after the defeat of Napoleon in 1814…also any Sharpe fans here?!). The collection is vast, and every space possible to be utilised as a display already is, with more pieces still unseen in the archives! The rooms are curated in a way that compliments like and unalike objects, adding to the immersive feeling of being at an aristocratic residence. However, there are no beds in sight, though some drawing tables and other furniture are featured (just don’t sit on anything, as most furniture is a protectd part of the collection!). 

Collection Overview: 

Growing extensively from five generations of British aristocratic collectors in the Marquesses of Hertford family, the Wallace Collection has an impressive range of diverse works. These encompass artistic movements from the 14th-19th centuries, with three galleries dedicated to the Dutch painting school and a deceptively large wing for armoury through the ages. Famous and respected artist on feature are Rembrandt, Van Dyck, and Fragonard. As for the armoury, nothing has been overlooked. I was most impressed by the recreation of a knight riding his steed, both of them fully equipped with shining protective armour and the knight bravely carrying his joust. The armoury has so many artefacts that the wing is packed from floor to ceiling with delicately made chainmail and brutalist weapons from almost every end of the earth. 

The Swing, Fragonard 1767:

My favourite and most exciting Roccoco piece in the collection is ‘The Swing’ by Jean-Honoré Fragonard, completed in 1767. Its first public display came nearly a century later, in 1860, after it remained in private collections, confiscated by authority, and most rejected by the Louvre. This piece, created quite early in Fragonard’s career, just after joining the Academy, is a historical treasure. He was commissioned by an anonymous patron who sought a portrait of himself with his secret mistress. Set in a forested private garden and featuring wonderous contrasting colours, the work was intended to be mischievous and erotic by the societal standards of the time. 

A few striking symbolic icons are hidden within the work: a statue of Cupid, a little white dog, a cuckold husband, a lover concealed in the shrubbery, a petite woman’s shoe, and the swing itself. Cupid, being a symbol of love and lust, can be seen with a finger to his lips, symbolising the sworn secrecy of the lovers.

The somewhat silly-looking dog at the foot of the painting is cast in irony. Typically, the dog would symbolise commitment and fidelity in a marital portrait. Still, here, we see the dog as excitable, possibly alluding to this irony and drawing attention to his discontent.

The pink silk shoe is a symbol of eroticism as it is being kicked into the air, ‘missing’ from the mistress. At the time, a missing slipper was suggestive of a woman’s loss of virginity, with the pink colour representing youth, innocence, and beauty. As the slipper flies through the air, the woman’s outstretched leg reveals a glimpse of her thigh, but only to be seen from the perspective of her lover.

Lastly, during the Rococo movement, it was popular to depict women swinging as representative of infidelity. In this work, the swing is ‘controlled’ by two long ropes, which the husband holds (although in practical use, this would defy physics and is a possible suggestion that the husband wishes to have control of his wife’s affairs). 

A gorgeous and deep depiction of unfaithful love in the 18th century, ‘The Swing’ is a beautifully painted testament to the effect of colour theory as taught by the Academy. The mistress’s rose-pink ensemble contrasts the prominently green background of foliage. The centre of the painting shows a sfumato of blues and violets that play amicably with the undertones of orange in the garments. By utilising contrasting colours to draw the viewer’s eye directly to the focal point, the woman swinging, other elements become indirectly hidden.

The way that both colour and light reflect in this artwork is phenomenal: the flowers and trees sparkle as if there was just a light sprinkling of rain, foggy sunlight pours in from an opening in the trees to illuminate the subject, and every frill and ruffle of the garments stand brightly against the layers of earth and silk. 

I was introduced to ‘The Swing’ in my first year of university in an Art History lecture. Without knowing the symbolism or history of the work, I was enthralled by the colours and composition. And so, you can imagine my shock and glee when I accidentally stumbled upon the painting in the middle of London! The entire Wallace Collection is such a delight; I have returned multiple times to view and review the galleries and say hello to my favourite Rococo painting. 

References & Further Reading:

“Exploring Fragonard’s the Swing.” The Wallace Collection, www.wallacecollection.org/explore/explore-in-depth/fragonards-the-swing/. Accessed 7 Sept. 2024.

Farthing, Stephen. Art: The Whole Story. Thames & Hudson, 2021.

“The Wallace Collection.” Art Fund, www.artfund.org/explore/museums-and-galleries/wallace-collection. Accessed 7 Sept. 2024.

“The Wallace Collection.” Oxford Art Online, www.oxfordartonline.com/page/1961. Accessed 7 Sept. 2024.

“Wallace Collection.” GOV.UK, www.gov.uk/government/organisations/wallace-collection. Accessed 7 Sept. 2024.