'Highlights of the Wallace Collection'
October 14 2015
Video: Wallace Collection
Here's a video featuring highlights from the Wallace Collection, presented by its director Dr Christoph Vogtherr. I was interested to hear him say at the end:
"We are still trying to find out more about our collection and to reveal the secrets of the artworks in the museum."
A laudable aim. But some years ago now I urged Dr Vogtherr to investigate a painting in the Wallace Collection which is described as 'Ascribed to Titian' [which essentially means 'the label says Titian but we don't believe it], and hung high up above a display case on the ground floor. For what it's worth, I'm pretty sure it's an early Titian, but it is much obscured by dirt, old varnish and over-paint. The thing is, early Titians like this don't grow on trees, and if it were 'right' it would instantly become one of the Wallace Collection's highlights. I'm not the only person to rate it highly, by the way.
But alas, Dr Vogtherr's response (to me at least) seemed to suggest he wasn't really bothered, and nor that he was a particular believer in the concept of authorship. Perhaps something was lost in translation, but each time I go to the Wallace I am saddened to see it hanging in the same place, unloved.
Surely it's worth a little further exploration?
The Wallace's website says:
The picture’s poor condition makes it difficult to attribute with certainty, but it is evidently an original Venetian composition, related to Titian’s early Giorgionesque phase, c.1510-15.
By 'poor condition' they mean as it is currently seen. I should have thought some cleaning tests and technical analysis might reveal whether there are further grounds for attributional optimism. And, AHNers, I have tried my best to get the Wallace Collection to get a little excited about the prospect of finding a Titian in their collection - but so far with no luck. So in case anyone at the Wallace is reading; if the question is one of cost, then I'm very happy to help meet them.
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Update - a reader writes:
I have only two old (concise and inadequate) lists of the Wallace collection: 1970 gives 'Attributed to...', and 1979 gives 'Follower of....', and now the website as you say gives ' Ascribed to....' - all round the houses. I did look at the BM Van Dyck Italian sketchbook drawing that one entry refers to (no doubt that has increased your interest in the Wallace 'Titian'. It is a hasty sketch of the figures of Venus and Cupid, said to be copied from the Wallace painting - that has differences but what do I know? As a Van Dyck nerd (?) I'm sure you do. I do think you should pursue it - looks good to me - and it has a top-notch pedigree / provenance. If nothing else, a bit of prodding might get them to crowd-fund (!) cleaning and research. You presumably remember the insouciance that the Wallace accepted the demotion of their Rembrandts many years ago - it seems they are now back in favour - with van de Wetering's reappraisals. The collection, being fixed, seems to have adopted a less than troubled attitude to such external opinion and accepted the RRP verdicts, and now the changes. What difference would it make to have (another) Titian to add to their already bursting treasure chest of art. As you suggest, it would matter to some people outside the ivory tower of the Wallace.
Update II - another reader writes:
Thank you for reminding me about the Ascribed to Titian on the ground floor of the Wallace.
When I saw it last year I also was struck by the similarities to other early Titians, and was disappointed that it was hung in such a difficult place.
Good luck with your efforts. If nothing else, perhaps you can get it hung somewhere where it is possible to look at it closely.
Update III - another reader likes the pic;
A fine thing indeed though I have concerns about the anatomy of the female figure and, BTW, they already have a Titian of course [Perseus and Andromeda, which was once owned by Van Dyck, but which alas is in pretty ropey condition, perhaps even worse than the Venus and Cupid].
Was there the other day and wondered about their skying of the excellent Eworth – I don’t think I’ve been closer than a couple of metres in nearly 40 years of going to the Wallace.
