Wallace Collection's 2026 exhibition reveals wartime cultural diplomacy through 1942 Soviet-focused shows

Opening in April 2026, The Wallace Collection at War will explore how Hertford House was transformed during World War II. The free display draws on archival materials, wartime records, and surviving catalogues to illuminate this period. In 1939, as Britain prepared for conflict, the building's renowned artworks were evacuated and galleries emptied. Hertford House was then repurposed as a venue for exhibitions aimed at bolstering public opinion and strengthening alliances. The exhibition focuses on two key 1942 presentations: Artists Aid Russia and Twenty-Five Years of Progress. These shows championed the Soviet Union following its entry into the war, using art, information, and propaganda. The display traces how the venue became an unexpected forum for cultural diplomacy during the conflict. It will feature artworks actually shown in 1942, bringing this historical moment to contemporary audiences.