Wallace Collection on Google Arts & Culture

Wallace Collection Launches Digital Exhibition with Google Arts & Culture

The Wallace Collection, a renowned museum housing fine and decorative arts in London, has unveiled a groundbreaking collaboration with Google Arts & Culture to celebrate its 125th anniversary. This partnership brings the museum’s masterpieces to life through a digital exhibition featuring newly digitised artworks, including 59 pieces captured in stunning gigapixel detail.

The initiative, titled Whispers from The Wallace Collection, invites audiences worldwide to explore the museum’s treasures in unprecedented depth. With gigapixel imaging technology, viewers can examine intricate details such as the red lashes of the maid in Watteau’s A Woman at Her Toilet or the lacework in Vigee Le Brun’s Madame Perregaux. This level of detail not only enhances art appreciation but also preserves these historic works for future generations.

Gigapixel Technology and Art Preservation

The gigapixel captures offered in this collaboration provide a level of detail rarely seen outside of museum walls. This technology allows viewers to appreciate the subtleties of masterpieces like Jan Steen’s Celebrating the Birth or Rubens’ Rainbow Landscape. By digitising these works, the Wallace Collection ensures that the knowledge of historic artworks is safeguarded against degradation or loss.

“This project is not just about accessibility; it’s about preserving art for future generations,” said a spokesperson for the Wallace Collection. “Gigapixel imaging allows us to capture every brushstroke, every texture, and share it with the world.”

Interactive Features and Digital Stories

Beyond the visual splendour, the collaboration includes 50 curated digital stories that delve into the provenance, techniques, and meanings behind the collection’s highlights. These narratives cover a wide range of topics, from Rembrandt’s reflections on ageing to the jewelled daggers of the Mughal court. The digital platform also explores the history of Hertford House, the home of the Wallace Collection, and the traditions of 18th-century Venice through Canaletto’s art.

One of the standout features is the Animals in Art 'Pocket Gallery,' which allows users to transform their devices into personal 3D galleries. This immersive experience invites viewers to observe the connection between animals, humans, and art, zooming in on details and reading descriptions that highlight the role of animals in human stories across centuries.

Expanding Accessibility and Global Reach

This collaboration marks the Wallace Collection’s expansion into the digital world, aligning with its architectural masterplan to make its collection more accessible. By leveraging Google Arts & Culture’s platform, the museum brings its treasures to a global audience, inviting art enthusiasts to explore the stories and secrets of art history.

“The Wallace Collection has always been a place of discovery,” said a Google Arts & Culture representative. “Through this partnership, we’re making that discovery possible for anyone, anywhere.”

To experience the digital exhibition, visit goo.gle/wallace and immerse yourself in the rich history of the Wallace Collection.