Wallace Collection, London, United Kingdom

Originals · The Wallace Collection, London

Famous Artists in the Wallace Collection: the Masters of the Originals

1435 – 1826

Rembrandt is the best-known artist with works in the Wallace Collection; next come Peter Paul Rubens, Titian and Eugène Delacroix.

Our catalogue lists 665 works of the Wallace Collection by 221 artists; the 25 best known are ranked below, each with the works the museum holds.

25masters, ranked by fame
221masters with an original at the Wallace Collection, 104 with two or more
23originals by Horace Vernet, the most at the house
710originals of the Wallace Collection in our catalogue

The masters of the originals

The 10 masters whose originals hang in the Wallace Collection

For each master: where and when they were born, their movement, how many originals the museum keeps in our catalogue, a note from their life, and the originals to see.

  1. Rembrandt

    Baroque

    1. Rembrandt 1606–1669

    1606–1669 Born in Leiden, Netherlands Baroque 7 originals at the Wallace Collection

    Born on 15 July 1606 in Leiden, in the Dutch Republic, Rembrandt van Rijn entered a world of modest means. By the time he died on 4 October 1669, he had left behind a vast legacy that includes about 300 paintings, 300 etchings, and several hundred drawings. By 1625, the young artist had moved beyond his apprenticeship and opened a studio in Leiden. A significant shift occurred in 1631 when he moved to Amsterdam.

    Originals at the Wallace Collection

    Rembrandt: the life and 1,554 originals

  2. Peter Paul Rubens

    Baroque

    2. Peter Paul Rubens 1577–1640

    1577–1640 Born in Siegen, Germany Baroque 10 originals at the Wallace Collection

    Born on 28 June 1577 in Siegen, Germany, his early years were shaped by the religious instability of the era. By the time he began working with Otto van Veen between 1594 and 1598, Rubens had already acquired the technical vocabulary necessary to move beyond simple representation into the realm of sophisticated narrative art. In 1600, Rubens left the Low Countries for Italy, a move that fundamentally altered his visual language.

    Originals at the Wallace Collection

    Peter Paul Rubens: the life and 1,641 originals

  3. Titian

    High Renaissance

    3. Titian 1490–1576

    1490–1576 Born in Pieve di Cadore, Italy High Renaissance 3 originals at the Wallace Collection

    In the rugged, mountainous reaches of Pieve di Cadore, a boy named Tiziano Vecellio began a life that would eventually reshape the very language of oil on canvas. Born around 1490, he was the son of Gregorio Vecellio, a man of the military, and a woman named Lucia.

    Originals at the Wallace Collection

    Titian: the life and 953 originals

  4. Eugène Delacroix

    Romanticism

    4. Eugène Delacroix 1798–1863

    1798–1863 Born in Saint-Maurice, France Romanticism 2 originals at the Wallace Collection

    The lineage of Eugène Delacroix is rooted in a blend of craftsmanship and diplomacy. Through him, the artist received numerous anonymous commissions, allowing his work to circulate through elite circles under a veil of discretion.

    Originals at the Wallace Collection

    Eugène Delacroix: the life and 604 originals

  5. Jean-Antoine Watteau

    Rococo

    5. Jean-Antoine Watteau 1684–1721

    1684–1721 Born in Valenciennes, France Rococo 14 originals at the Wallace Collection

    It is also believed that he may have studied under Julien, further refining the skills that would eventually lead him away from the quiet life of Valenciennes.

    Originals at the Wallace Collection

    Jean-Antoine Watteau: the life and 271 originals

  6. Frans Hals

    Dutch Golden Age

    6. Frans Hals 1580–1666

    1580–1666 Born in Antwerp, Belgium Dutch Golden Age 2 originals at the Wallace Collection

    Frans Hals I was a Dutch painter born in Antwerp, Belgium, around 1580. Though his early life remains somewhat shrouded in mystery, he rose to become one of the most important figures of the Dutch Golden Age, celebrated for his innovative portraiture and genre scenes. Details surrounding Hals’s formative years are scarce. It is believed he received initial artistic training in Antwerp, a prominent center for painting at the time.

    Originals at the Wallace Collection

    Frans Hals: the life and 428 originals

  7. Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun

    Neoclassicism

    7. Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun 1755–1842

    1755–1842 Born in Paris, France Neoclassicism 3 originals at the Wallace Collection

    French Rococo portraitist famed for capturing the grace of Marie Antoinette and the elite nobility in soft, luminous oil and pastel tones. The household is one of art and observation.

    Originals at the Wallace Collection

    Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun: the life and 272 originals

  8. Anthony van Dyck

    Baroque

    8. Anthony van Dyck 1599–1641

    1599–1641 Born in Antwerp, Belgium Baroque 8 originals at the Wallace Collection

    Born in Antwerp on 22 March 1599, Sir Anthony van Dyck entered a world of commerce and craft. Between 1621 and late 1627, he traveled through Italy, a period that would refine his ability to navigate the complex social hierarchies of European nobility. In 1620, he entered the service of King James I, a brief engagement that preceded his extensive travels through Italy and the Spanish Netherlands.

    Originals at the Wallace Collection

    Anthony van Dyck: the life and 1,620 originals

  9. Bartolomé Esteban Murillo

    Baroque

    9. Bartolomé Esteban Murillo 1617–1682

    1617–1682 Born in Seville, Spain Baroque 9 originals at the Wallace Collection

    The story of Bartolomé Esteban Murillo begins in the heart of Seville, where he was born in late December 1617. Life for the young boy was marked by early loss, as he was orphaned during his childhood. Following the deaths of his parents, he was taken in by his sister, Ana, and her husband, Juan Agustín Lagares. Artistic training for Bartolomé Esteban Murillo likely began when he was between twelve and fifteen years old.

    Originals at the Wallace Collection

    Bartolomé Esteban Murillo: the life and 454 originals

  10. Canaletto

    Rococo

    10. Canaletto 1697–1768

    1697–1768 Born in Venice, Italy Rococo 11 originals at the Wallace Collection

    Giovanni Antonio Canal, known to many as Canaletto, was born in Venice, Italy, on October 18, 1697. The influence of his family's trade stayed with him as he moved toward more permanent subjects. In 1718, Canaletto left Venice for Rome. Between 1746 and 1756, Canaletto made several trips to England. From 1749 to 1752, he lived in London, staying at 41 Beak Street in the Soho district.

    Originals at the Wallace Collection

    Canaletto: the life and 549 originals

The masters, continued

No. 11 to No. 25: more masters of the Wallace Collection

  1. François Boucher

    11. François Boucher

    Rococo

    1703–1770 · born in Paris, France · 21 originals at the Wallace Collection

    French Rococo painter of luminous, pastel mythological scenes and idyllic landscapes, known for his voluptuous and amorous subjects.

  2. Jean-Honoré Fragonard

    12. Jean-Honoré Fragonard

    Rococo

    1732–1806 · born in Grasse, France · 9 originals at the Wallace Collection

    French Rococo painter of playful, sensual scenes rendered with luminous, rapid brushwork and a sense of exuberant, fleeting movement.

  3. Jacob van Ruisdael

    13. Jacob van Ruisdael

    Dutch Golden Age

    1628–1682 · born in Haarlem, Netherlands · 5 originals at the Wallace Collection

  4. Jean-Léon Gérôme

    14. Jean-Léon Gérôme

    Academic Art

    1824–1904 · born in Vesoul, France · 2 originals at the Wallace Collection

    French Academicist known for meticulous detail and dramatic Orientalist and historical scenes, from Roman gladiators to desert landscapes.

  5. Jan Steen

    15. Jan Steen

    Baroque

    1626–1679 · born in Leiden, Netherlands · 5 originals at the Wallace Collection

    Dutch Golden Age genre painter of boisterous, chaotic households and humorous scenes filled with psychological depth and vibrant color.

  6. Thomas Gainsborough

    16. Thomas Gainsborough

    Rococo

    1727–1788 · born in Sudbury, United Kingdom · 5 originals at the Wallace Collection

    British Rococo painter of elegant portraits and landscapes, known for fluid brushstrokes and integrating sitters into the English countryside.

  7. Joshua Reynolds

    17. Joshua Reynolds

    Neoclassicism

    1723–1792 · born in Plympton, United Kingdom · 22 originals at the Wallace Collection

    British Neoclassical portraitist and Royal Academy founder who used the Grand Style to idealize subjects with grace and dignity.

  8. Paul Delaroche

    18. Paul Delaroche

    Academic Art

    1797–1856 · born in Paris, France · 9 originals at the Wallace Collection

    French historical painter of dramatic scenes rendered with meticulous realism, bridging Romanticism and Academicism through theatrical storytelling.

  9. Pieter de Hooch

    19. Pieter de Hooch

    Dutch Golden Age

    1629–1684 · born in Rotterdam, Netherlands · 3 originals at the Wallace Collection

    Dutch Golden Age painter of tranquil domestic interiors using the see-through-doorway technique to create depth through layered perspectives.

  10. Jean-Baptiste Greuze

    20. Jean-Baptiste Greuze

    Rococo

    1725–1805 · born in Tournus, France · 20 originals at the Wallace Collection

  11. Rosa Bonheur

    21. Rosa Bonheur

    Realism

    1822–1899 · born in Bordeaux, France · 4 originals at the Wallace Collection

    French Realist painter of animals known for anatomical precision and dynamic, lifelike scenes of horses and cattle in bustling markets.

  12. Francesco Guardi

    22. Francesco Guardi

    Rococo

    1712–1793 · born in Venice, Italy · 9 originals at the Wallace Collection

    Venetian Rococo vedutista known for shimmering pittura di tocco brushwork and atmospheric cityscapes of Venice under dramatic, cloudy skies.

  13. Philippe de Champaigne

    23. Philippe de Champaigne

    Baroque

    1602–1674 · born in Brussels, Belgium · 4 originals at the Wallace Collection

    French Baroque painter of austere religious scenes and powerful portraits, known for capturing the psychological essence of his subjects.

  14. Thomas Couture

    24. Thomas Couture

    Academic Art

    1815–1879 · born in Senlis, France · 6 originals at the Wallace Collection

    French Romantic and Realist painter of dramatic historical scenes and moral decadence, known for teaching Édouard Manet.

  15. Thomas Lawrence

    25. Thomas Lawrence

    Romanticism

    1769–1830 · born in Bristol, United Kingdom · 6 originals at the Wallace Collection

    Regency Romanticist portraitist known for virtuoso brushwork and capturing the elegant character of British aristocracy and royalty.

Famous artists in the Wallace Collection, No. 26 to 50

  1. David Teniers the Younger1610–1690 · 9 originals at the Wallace Collection
  2. Adriaen Brouwer1605–1638 · 2 originals at the Wallace Collection
  3. Gabriel Metsu1629–1667 · 6 originals at the Wallace Collection
  4. Alonso Cano1601–1667 · 2 originals at the Wallace Collection
  5. Meindert Hobbema1638–1709 · 5 originals at the Wallace Collection
  6. Nicolaes Maes1634–1693 · 2 originals at the Wallace Collection
  7. Emanuel de Witte1617–1692 · 2 originals at the Wallace Collection
  8. Nicolas Lancret1689–1743 · 11 originals at the Wallace Collection
  9. Edwin Landseer1802–1873 · 4 originals at the Wallace Collection
  10. Horace Vernet1789–1863 · 23 originals at the Wallace Collection
  11. Gerrit Dou1613–1675 · 3 originals at the Wallace Collection
  12. Joseph Vernet1714–1789 · 3 originals at the Wallace Collection
  13. Paulus Potter1625–1654 · 3 originals at the Wallace Collection
  14. Carlo Crivelli1435–1495 · 2 originals at the Wallace Collection
  15. Jean-Louis Ernest Meissonier1815–1891 · 17 originals at the Wallace Collection
  16. Jan van Huysum1682–1749 · 2 originals at the Wallace Collection
  17. Willem van de Velde the Elder1611–1693 · 8 originals at the Wallace Collection
  18. Jean-Marc Nattier1685–1766 · 6 originals at the Wallace Collection
  19. Pierre-Paul Prud'hon1758–1823 · 6 originals at the Wallace Collection
  20. Ludolf Bakhuizen1630–1708 · 2 originals at the Wallace Collection
  21. Aert van der Neer1604–1677 · 4 originals at the Wallace Collection
  22. Bernardino Luini1480–1532 · 5 originals at the Wallace Collection
  23. Aelbert Cuyp1620–1691 · 4 originals at the Wallace Collection
  24. Constant Troyon1810–1865 · 2 originals at the Wallace Collection
  25. Jan van der Heyden1637–1712 · 4 originals at the Wallace Collection

The house in figures

The masters of the Wallace Collection, in figures

Masters with two originals or more, by century of birth

  • 15th century3
  • 16th century5
  • 17th century52
  • 18th century26
  • 19th century17

Masters with two originals or more, by country of birth

  • Netherlands35
  • France35
  • Belgium9
  • United Kingdom8
  • Italy6
  • Germany5
  • Spain2
  • Austria1

Masters with two originals or more, by movement

  • Baroque25
  • Dutch Golden Age23
  • Romanticism16
  • Rococo13
  • Neoclassicism5
  • Realism4
  • Academic Art3
  • High Renaissance2

Women masters

The women whose originals hang in the Wallace Collection

3 women masters, 8 originals, in our catalogue of the Wallace Collection.

Two houses

The Wallace Collection or the National Gallery: whose originals are where

The Wallace Collection

Masters in our catalogue
221
Originals
665
The masters to know
Rembrandt, Peter Paul Rubens, Titian, Eugène Delacroix
Most originals by
Horace Vernet (23), Joshua Reynolds (22), François Boucher (21)

The National Gallery

Masters in our catalogue
739
Originals
2,264
The masters to know
Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Vincent van Gogh
Most originals by
Titian (35), Rembrandt (31), Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot (27)

Asked of us

Questions on the masters of the Wallace Collection

Open a question to read the answer.

Who is the most famous artist in the Wallace Collection?

Rembrandt (1606–1669): our catalogue holds 7 works by Rembrandt at the Wallace Collection, among them Portraits of Jean Pellicorne and his Son Casper, A boy in fanciful costume and Centurion Cornelius. Peter Paul Rubens and Titian follow.

What did Rembrandt paint that hangs in the Wallace Collection?

7 works by Rembrandt at the Wallace Collection are in our catalogue: Portraits of Jean Pellicorne and his Son Casper (1633), A boy in fanciful costume (1633), Centurion Cornelius (1660) and Bust of a man in a gorget and feather bonnet (1634) among them.

What did Peter Paul Rubens paint that hangs in the Wallace Collection?

10 works by Peter Paul Rubens at the Wallace Collection are in our catalogue: The Adoration of the Magi (1624), The Marriage of Henri IV of France and Marie de Médici (1630), The Birth of Henri IV of France (1630) and Christ's Charge to Peter (1616) among them.

Which Titian works are in the Wallace Collection?

3 works by Titian at the Wallace Collection are in our catalogue: Perseus and Andromeda (1554) and Venus and Cupid (1510) among them.

Which ten artists should I look for in the Wallace Collection?

The ten best-known artists with works in the Wallace Collection are Rembrandt (7), Peter Paul Rubens (10), Titian (3), Eugène Delacroix (2), Jean-Antoine Watteau (14), Frans Hals (2), Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun (3), Anthony van Dyck (8), Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (9) and Canaletto (11).

Who has the most paintings in the collection of the Wallace Collection?

Horace Vernet (—), with 23 works in our catalogue of the Wallace Collection, ahead of Joshua Reynolds (22), François Boucher (21) and Jean-Baptiste Greuze (20).

Are there Leonardo da Vinci works in the Wallace Collection?

Our catalogue lists no work by Leonardo da Vinci at the Wallace Collection. For Leonardo da Vinci, see the National Gallery: 9 works there.

Is Pablo Picasso in the Wallace Collection?

Our catalogue lists no work by Pablo Picasso at the Wallace Collection.

Are there any women painters in the Wallace Collection?

3 women artists have works of the Wallace Collection in our catalogue, among them Rosa Bonheur (4), Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun (3) and Constance Mayer (1).

Should I visit the Wallace Collection or the National Gallery for the painters?

For Rembrandt, Peter Paul Rubens and Titian, the Wallace Collection; for Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt and Michelangelo, the National Gallery. Our catalogue lists 221 artists at the Wallace Collection and 739 at the National Gallery.

Where do the artists of the Wallace Collection come from?

By country of birth, the artists with two works or more at the Wallace Collection are mostly from Netherlands (35), France (35), Belgium (9), United Kingdom (8) and Italy (6).

From which period are the artists of the Wallace Collection?

Most of the artists with two works or more at the Wallace Collection were born in the 17th century (52 artists); the earliest in this ranking is Titian (1490–1576), the latest Jean-Léon Gérôme (1824–1904).

The house

The Wallace Collection, London, in a few lines

The History of the Wallace Collection

The origins of the Wallace Collection lie in the private acquisitions of the 18th and 19th centuries. Sir Richard Wallace, alongside the Marquesses of Hertford, assembled an extensive collection that reflects the evolving tastes of European nobility. These objects were gathered over generations, forming a cohesive assembly of fine and decorative arts spanning from the 15th to the 19th centuries. The collection eventually found its permanent home in London, United Kingdom, following the death of Lady Wallace in 1897, when the holdings were bequeathed to the British nation. The establishment of the institution in 1897 ensured that these accumulated treasures remained together within the walls of Hertford House. The assembly includes a variety of media, from Old Master paintings to intricate decorative objects. The presence of these works within a former private residence allows the history of their acquisition to remain tangible.

The Architecture of Hertford House

The structure occupying Manchester Square in London possesses a layered history that predates its current identity. In the 16th century, the site served as the London townhouse of Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset. The present building, however, traces its lineage to 1776, when it was constructed for the Earl of Hertford. Over the decades, the architectural character of the house shifted to reflect the evolving tastes of its various occupants, moving from the late 18th century through the early 19th century. Rather than the sterile arrangement often found in public institutions, the rooms are organized to recreate the sensory richness of a grand salon. Furniture is positioned as if awaiting guests, and porcelain is displayed upon cabinets and shelves in a manner that suggests daily use. This deliberate arrangement allows the art to exist within its intended domestic context, where paintings hang as they would have in their original settings.

How the masters of the originals are ranked

The masters with two originals or more of the Wallace Collection in our catalogue are ranked by fame: the Wikipedia language editions that describe them, the visits to their OriginalUniqueArt.com page and our studio's ranking. Originals are counted in our catalogue — one entry per work, without details, studies or copies — not in the museum's inventory. Every date, birthplace and movement is the catalogue's; the notes are drawn from the master's biography.

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