It’s impossible to walk through the gates of Hertford House without being struck by the beauty of the building, bettered only by its contents. Ever since it was completed in 1788, Hertford House has – bar a brief interlude in Bethnal Green – been the home of Britain’s greatest private art collection: The Wallace Collection. Having filmed ‘Masquerade’ – Wonderland’s AW18 video with Gucci – in the museum’s main collection, we made the trip back to Hertford House to check out its newest exhibition, Sir Richard Wallace: The Collector.

Designed to explore Wallace the man, the exhibition consists of an intimately personal collection of possessions, trinkets and other things left behind by the collector. As you enter the dark basement space, you are instantly introduced to Wallace with cartoons, portraits, and family photos plastered over the dark walls. Personal items are scattered throughout the first room, with letters, diaries, and even a lock of his mother’s hair all displayed among the adorned walls.

As you proceed through the exhibition you are treated to various stand-out pieces from the core of Wallace’s collection. Elias Zorner’s silver Ostrich is proudly placed at the forefront of the collection, dominating the room and welcoming guests into the exhibition. An amazing 18th century French porcelain casket is another highlight, as is the perfectly preserved Italian suit of armour.

The fact that such a stunningly curated and impressive collection is free to the public is testament to Wallace’s character. A lifetime philanthropist, his ambition was to ensure that as many people as possible had access to beautiful art and sculpture. With Sir Richard Wallace: The Collector the museum has ensured that his wishes be carried out.