From 5 June, paintings by the artist will temporarily replace two works by François Boucher at the top of the grand staircase on the landing of Hertford House, a unique space at the Collection which displays only works by this undisputed master of the Rococo.
Boucher’s two large scenes, Pastoral with a Bagpipe Player (1749) and Pastoral with a Couple near a Fountain (1749), will be moved to a white-walled contemporary display space on the ground floor. The paintings will be replaced by the new Yukhnovich works for the duration of the display; the works will hang as part of the Collection’s display, immersed in the 18th century and conversing with the works by Boucher surrounding them.
Announcing the collaboration with Flora Yukhnovich, Dr Xavier Bray, Director of The Wallace Collection, says: “Flora Yukhnovich creates mesmerising, painterly works which remind us of the influence that the 18th century still exerts on our visual taste. I hope that her work will open up the Collection to a new generation of art lovers, who have yet to discover the joys of François Boucher, and will also give those who know the Collection well an opportunity to see it with fresh eyes.”
From her studio in Bermondsey, Flora Yukhnovich comments: “I couldn’t be more excited to work on this project with Xavier and the Wallace Collection! I have been visiting since I was a student to immerse myself in the 18th century and to study the Boucher paintings. They have been incredibly important to me, finding their way into many of my paintings over the years. It will be such a privilege to see my work in dialogue with the paintings that have inspired them for so long.”
Image: Flora Yukhnovich, Folies Bergère (detail), 2024
Oil on linen
259.2 x 198.6 cm, 102 x 78 1/4 in
© Flora Yukhnovich
Courtesy the artist, Victoria Miro and Hauser & Wirth
