The Wallace Collection Ticket Portal

How can so-called vanitas symbols add fascinating layers of meaning to a painting, and do their messages still resonate today? These visual elements can function as reminders to the viewer of the brevity of life or of beauty. They might advise avoidance of worldly distractions and be recommendations for staying on a righteous path. While an eerily illuminated skull is an obvious warning of mortality, other symbols are less discernible. When we discover them, how might our reading of a painting change?

About the speaker: Jo Rhymer is Informal Learning Lead Producer at the Wallace Collection. She is also a freelance lecturer for the V&A; she is a Panel Tutor at the University of Cambridge, Institute of Continuing Education, and an accredited lecturer for The Arts Society. Her art history specialisms are 19th- and early 20th-century French art.

Take part at the museum: This course will take place in the Theatre, Lower Ground Floor. Participants taking part at the museum are encouraged to visit the galleries in their own time afterwards.

Watch online: This talk will also be broadcast live from the museum. Online ticketholders will be emailed a link to join 24 hours in advance. Ticketholders will also receive a link to view a recording of the talk, which will be available for two weeks only.

With live captions by Stagetext.

The great Venetian painter Antonio Canaletto used the camera obscura - the predecessor of the photographic camera - to make sketches on site. These formed the basis of his finished drawings and paintings. Philip Steadman has built a replica of an 18th-century camera obscura and used it to make drawings at places painted by Canaletto in London. He will explain exactly how the artist worked with the instrument, not only to produce his views of real places but also - surprisingly - his imaginary scenes, the ‘capricci.’

About the speaker: Philip Steadman is Emeritus Professor of Urban and Built Form Studies, Energy Institute, Bartlett School of Energy, Environment and Resources, University College London. His book Canaletto's Camera (UCL Press) is due to be published on 1 June 2025.

Watch online: Book a free ticket online to receive a Zoom link. Ticketholders will also receive a link to view a recording of the talk, which will be available for two weeks only.

With live captions by Stagetext.

Coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the birth of J.M.W. Turner, join Nicola Moorby, author of a new book, Turner and Constable: Art, Life, Landscape (Yale University Press), as she uncovers some of the secrets of Turner’s watercolour practice. In particular, she will discuss the extraordinary and, at times, highly personal works Turner produced for his friend and patron, Walter Fawkes of Farnley Hall in Yorkshire, including the fabulous examples in the Wallace Collection.

About the speaker: Nicola Moorby is Curator of British Art, 1790-1850 at Tate and guest curator of the exhibition, Turner's Kingdom: Beauty, Birds and Beasts at Turner's House in Twickenham, April-October 2025. She is the author of a new book, Turner and Constable: Art, Life, Landscape, published by Yale University Press in March 2025.

Watch online: Book a free ticket online to receive a Zoom link. Ticketholders will also receive a link to view a recording of the talk, which will be available for two weeks only.   

Explore how European artists interpreted and represented the Virgin Mary in art. From Renaissance Italy to Counter-Reformation Spain and beyond, in monumental paintings and in intimate devotional objects, Mary’s image has been a steadfast and complex presence in Christian visual culture. By interweaving art history and theology, we’ll consider the story of Mary’s unique life, its many meanings, and how this has manifested in artworks seen throughout the Wallace Collection.

About the speaker: Ayla Lepine is the Associate Rector at St James’s Piccadilly. She has a PhD in art history from the Courtauld Institute of Art and has held academic posts focusing on theology and the visual arts at Yale and the National Gallery, where she co-curated the exhibition Fruits of the Spirit: Art from the Heart. She publishes and lectures widely, and is a Visiting Fellow at King’s College London. Her book, Women, Art, God, will be published in 2026.

Take part at the museum: This course will take place in the Theatre, Lower Ground Floor. Participants taking part at the museum are encouraged to visit the galleries in their own time afterwards.

Watch online: This talk will also be broadcast live from the museum. Online ticketholders will be emailed a link to join 24 hours in advance. Ticketholders will also receive a link to view a recording of the talk, which will be available for two weeks only.

Our current exhibition Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur is an inspiration for us to take a closer look at contemporary art. Join Dr Ben Street to discover ways to appreciate, enjoy and understand art of the last 65 years, by learning useful techniques for making meaningful connections.

We’ll take a broad sweep of works created in a vast array of media, and in a variety of geographical locations. During our exploration, we’ll discuss the different techniques at play, the methods of display used by artists, and some of the ideas and concepts that have driven contemporary artists.

Read the full course description here.  

Joining Information and Format: This course will be taught through Zoom Webinar. Each course session duration is 120 minutes, including a five-minute break and Q&A session with the tutor.  

Tickets are for all dates of this course. Ticketholders will be emailed the Zoom link, Webinar ID and Passcode 24 hours in advance of the first course session, which should be retained for accessing all sessions.   

Course Recording: This course will be recorded. Within 48 hours of each course session, ticket holders will be emailed a link to view the recording, which will be available for two weeks.  

Why is Sir Anthony Van Dyck considered a landmark painter in Western European art? Learn about this era-defining artist, whose precocious talent led him to enjoy international fame, fortune and a lavish lifestyle.

We’ll explore how Van Dyck was inspired by the work of eminent Renaissance artist Titian, and of his contemporary Rubens, to develop his own audacious style. We’ll investigate how his loose, dynamic brushwork manifested in monumental history paintings and vivacious portraits, helping him to attract powerful patrons. We’ll also discuss the Wallace Collection’s works within a wider context, revealing the elements of his style that set him apart from contemporaries.

Read the full course description here.  

Joining Information and Format: This course will be taught through Zoom Webinar. Each course session duration is 120 minutes, including a five-minute break and Q&A session with the tutor.  

Tickets are for all dates of this course. Ticketholders will be emailed the Zoom link, Webinar ID and Passcode 24 hours in advance of the first course session, which should be retained for accessing all sessions.   

Course Recording: This course will be recorded. Within 48 hours of each course session, ticket holders will be emailed a link to view the recording, which will be available for two weeks.  

How did themes in French painting change during the 18th century? In order to understand how new subjects expanded and flourished, we’ll look closely at a selection of superb examples now in the Wallace Collection. We’ll investigate intriguing scenes by Lancret, Pater, Greuze and Fragonard, alongside those made by artists who are less well-known today, including Louis-Léopold Boilly and Gabriel-Jacques de Saint-Aubin. In deciphering the potential meanings of these artworks, which present detailed scenes of flirtatious encounters and leisurely pursuits, we’ll consider their function and significance within the wider artistic and cultural landscape of 18th-century France.

Read the full course description here.  

Joining Information and Format: This course will be taught through Zoom Webinar. Each course session duration is 120 minutes, including a five-minute break and Q&A session with the tutor.  

Tickets are for all dates of this course. Ticketholders will be emailed the Zoom link, Webinar ID and Passcode 24 hours in advance of the first course session, which should be retained for accessing all sessions.   

Course Recording: This course will be recorded. Within 48 hours of each course session, ticket holders will be emailed a link to view the recording, which will be available for two weeks.  

Join us for an exclusive concert with the acclaimed Orion Orchestra and international soloist, Danny Koo. This special evening celebrates three remarkable anniversaries: Marylebone Music Festival’s 10th Anniversary Festival (16-22 June), the Wallace Collection’s 125th anniversary of opening as a public museum, and the 300th anniversary of the publication of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons.

During the evening, you'll also hear from art historian Dr Lelia Packer, author of our new publication Canaletto and Guardi: Views of Venice at the Wallace Collection, about the captivating scenes of the Grand Canal represented in Canaletto's monumental paintings. Surrounded by the sights and sounds of 18th-century Venice, guests can also enjoy drinks and the opportunity to view our Venetian view paintings after hours.

Programme:

Vivaldi – The Four Seasons

La primavera (Spring) E Major
L’estate (Summer) G minor
L’autunno (Autumn) F Major
L’inverno (Winter) F minor

Orion Orchestra
Violin – Danny Koo

Proceeds from this concert will be divided between the Marylebone Music Festival and the Wallace Collection.

Copies of Canaletto and Guardi: Views of Venice at the Wallace Collection can be purchased on the night.

Take part at the museum: Join us at the museum for this special event, followed by drinks, book signing and gallery visit until 20.30. 

Be spellbound by students from English National Ballet School as they perform their own choreographic works, set to music in the intimate surroundings of our galleries.

Over several months, Young Choreographers from the English National Ballet School have been exploring the history of the Wallace Collection and developing choreography informed by encounters with the collection. Our evening showcase presents their breathtaking new work, performed in the galleries that have inspired them. 

Take part at the museum: Join us at the museum for this special evening, which includes performances in different galleries throughout the building. Includes short, unseated performances and movement between different levels. The main performance (approx. 25 minutes) will be seated. 

Includes a drinks reception on arrival. The museum will reopen at 18.15 for ticketholders. 

Image: © @photography_byash

Join us for an exclusive supporters-only event, taking place after hours at the Wallace Collection. After an opportunity to view our landmark exhibition, Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur, the celebrated artist himself will be leading our Annual Supporters talk.

The talk will be followed by a drinks reception.

Join us at the museum: The exhibition will be open from 17.30, for ticket holders only, to have a private look before the beginning of the talk at 18.30. Please note, a valid Members’ Card will be needed to attend this event.

Please note - the Wallace Collection will close at 17.00 before ticket holders are re-admitted. 

Be spellbound by students from English National Ballet School as they perform their own choreographic works, set to music in the intimate surroundings of our galleries.

Over several months, Young Choreographers from the English National Ballet School have been exploring the history of the Wallace Collection and developing choreography informed by encounters with the collection. Our evening showcase presents their breathtaking new work, performed in the galleries that have inspired them. 

Take part at the museum: Join us at the museum for this special evening, which includes performances in different galleries throughout the building. Includes short, unseated performances and movement between different levels. The main performance (approx. 25 minutes) will be seated. 

Includes a drinks reception on arrival. The museum will reopen at 18.15 for ticketholders. 

Image: © @photography_byash

Join us online to celebrate Creativity and Wellbeing Week. Join us online to explore five ways of wellbeing through connecting to an artwork. Spend some restorative and reflective moments with one painting from our collection.

Join online: Book a free ticket online to receive a Zoom link. Ticketholders will also receive a link to view a recording of the talk, which will be available for two weeks only. 

Join Dr Ben Street to explore Grayson Perry’s technical and allusive relationship with art of the past. We’ll investigate the use of historical materials and techniques in Perry’s tapestries, ceramics, etchings and woodcuts. We’ll also discover ways in which Perry references well-known work by artists of the past such as Masaccio, Hogarth, Crivelli and Goya. Our investigation will enable us to develop both a deeper encounter with Perry’s diverse work, and a renewed engagement with art of the past.

Read the full course description here.  

Joining Information and Format: This course will be taught through Zoom Webinar. Each course session duration is 120 minutes, including a five-minute break and Q&A session with the tutor.  

Tickets are for all dates of this course. Ticketholders will be emailed the Zoom link, Webinar ID and Passcode 24 hours in advance of the first course session, which should be retained for accessing all sessions.   

Course Recording: This course will be recorded. Within 48 hours of each course session, ticket holders will be emailed a link to view the recording, which will be available for two weeks.  

Image: Grayson Perry, Alan Measles and Claire meet Shirley Smith and The Honourable Millicent Wallace, 2024 (detail) © Grayson Perry. Courtesy the artist and Victoria Miro

Join acclaimed artist Grayson Perry as he ruminates on the meaning of ‘outsider’ art – a key theme of our exhibition Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur.

For this landmark show, Perry created a new persona through which to explore the Wallace Collection: an artist he calls Shirley Smith. Perry’s creation of Shirley was sparked by learning that a British artist he has long admired, Madge Gill (1882–1961), showed work here during the Second World War. Gill is sometimes referred to as an ‘outsider’ artist, to indicate her occupation of a space beyond the established cultural mainstream.

What does Perry think about the idea of ‘outsider’ art and is this a space he continues to occupy today?

For ages 18+. 

About the speaker: Sir Grayson Perry is one of Britain’s most celebrated contemporary artist and cultural figures. Winner of the 2003 Turner Prize, Perry was elected a Royal Academician in 2011 and was made Knight Bachelor for services to arts in the King’s New Year Honours List 2023.

Take part at the museum: Join us at the museum for this special event, followed by drinks and exhibition visit until 20.45.

Image: Grayson Perry © Richard Ansett, shot exclusively for the Wallace Collection, London (detail)

Delve into a creative weekend of screen-printing, inspired by Grayson Perry’s playful and experimental work in our new exhibition, Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur. Over two days, you’ll create your own printed responses from a selection of objects and themes drawn from the exhibition. You’ll learn how to print and register colourful screen prints, how to monoprint and develop colour blends and hand-drawn backgrounds, and how to use pre-made photographic screens. By the end of the masterclass, you’ll have developed a fundamental understanding of screen-printing processes, of the printmaker’s key tools, and a working knowledge of textile printing.

For ages 18+. 

Read the full course description here.  

Joining Information and Format: This masterclass will take place in the Learning Studio, Lower Ground Floor at the museum.

Equipment and Materials: Please wear clothes suitable for a messy workshop in a room kept warm for life models. All materials and equipment are provided.  

Journey to 18th-century Venice through a captivating selection of paintings created by the foremost Venetian view painters of the time: Canaletto and Francesco Guardi. Join us for an engaging discussion that will not only reveal why Venice was such a popular destination for Grand Tourists, but will illuminate the historical significance of the Wallace Collection’s paintings and invite us to reflect on Venice's enduring allure.

About the speakers: Dr Lelia Packer was Curator of Paintings at the Wallace Collection between 2017 and 2024. During her time here, she curated the Collection's first major international exhibition, Frans Hals: The Male Portrait. She also led the Collection's multi-year conservation and research project around its Venetian view paintings, culminating in her recent book, co-authored with Charles Beddington, Canaletto and Guardi: Views of Venice at the Wallace Collection (Scala 2025). Before joining the Wallace Collection, Lelia held positions at prestigious institutions such as the National Gallery in London and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. 

Take part at the museum: No ticket required, drop in on the day. Join us in the Theatre for this special talk.

Watch online: This talk will also be broadcast live from the museum. Book a free ticket online to receive a Zoom link. Ticketholders will also receive a link to view a recording of the talk, which will be available for two weeks only.   

In an exclusive after-hours event for teachers, experience our Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur exhibition. 

Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur presents over 40 new works by Sir Grayson Perry (1960). In the largest contemporary exhibition ever held at the museum, visitors will encounter ceramics, tapestries, metalwork and works on paper amongst others, displayed alongside masterpieces from the collection that helped shape Perry’s vision for this landmark show. 

Enjoy a glass of wine and light refreshments, then join educator Marc Woodhead and the Wallace Collection Learning team for a brief introduction to the exhibition before exploring the show yourself.  

Drop in to the museum from 16.45-16.55 and explore the exhibition from 17.30-18.45.  

Free, but booking is essential. Contact schools@wallacecollection.org if you have any questions. 

Image: Grayson Perry, I Know Who I Am, 2024 © Grayson Perry. Courtesy the artist and Victoria Miro 

Polish your halo, dust off your angel wings and prepare to party with Saint Sebastian, Saint Joan and more in the heavenly setting of the Wallace Collection.

Our legendary Queer knees-up is back with a sparkle, devotedly curated by artist Sadie Lee. Join us for Queer-themed performances, music and art at the most divine museum in town.

Event supported by The Portman Estate

Take part at the Museum: Join us at the museum for this special event between 18.30-21.30 BST, with bar and music continuing until 23.00. Includes access to the Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur exhibition until 20.30.