January 16, 2024
Rococo through the contemporary abstraction lens: Flora Yukhnovich takes over the Wallace Collection
Pablo Serrano Martín

Two new works by the London based contemporary abstract painter will be displayed at the top of the grand staircase surrounded by 18th century french Rococo masterpieces from Boucher, Fragonard and Watteau.

Flora Yukhnovich´s work is known for its abstract approach to Rococo compositions and color palettes. The young British artist's work will be shown at the Hertford House where the Wallace Collection is displayed, replacing two large-scale Boucher paintings right at the grand staircase. Her paintings will be surrounded by French Rococo paintings from masters such as Fragonard (1732-1806), whose most famous painting, The Swing is housed at the Wallace Collection.

Flora Yukhnovich's work is known for its abstract approach to Rococo compositions and color palettes. The young British artist's work will be shown at the Hertford House where the Wallace Collection is displayed, replacing two large-scale Boucher paintings right at the grand staircase.

The London based artist studied portraiture at the Heatherley School of Fine Art and, in 2017, earned her MA from the City & Guilds of London Art School. She soon began to transform her technical education into freer and more imaginative ways. As Flora said, she had been visiting the Wallace Collection when she was a student to learn and get inspiration from the 18th century, studying paintings from Boucher or Watteau. The young artist's work brings together suggestive impastoed brushwork with her signature use of color, which echoes 18th century pastoral and mythological scenes.

Flora Yukhnovich in her London studio, February 2022. Photo: Eva Herzog © Flora Yukhnovich Courtesy the artist and Victoria Miro
The young artist's work brings together suggestive impastoed brushwork with her signature use of color, which echoes 18th century pastoral and mythological scenes.

The Wallace Collection in London is a world-class art museum located in Hertford House. Renowned for its exceptional collection of European fine and decorative arts from the 15th to the 19th centuries, the museum showcases masterpieces, including The Laughing Cavalier by Frans Hals, The Swing by Jean-Honoré Fragonard or The Water Seller of Seville by Diego Velázquez.

The Wallace Collection in London is a world-class art museum located in Hertford House. Renowned for its exceptional collection of European fine and decorative arts from the 15th to the 19th centuries, the museum showcases masterpieces
Drawing room at the Wallace Collection, London, U.K. © Sailko vía Wikimedia Commons

Yukhnovich's paintings have had commercial success for a couple years. In 2021, Sotheby's London sold her 2020 painting I'll Have What She's Having  for £2.5 million. The Norwich-born artist graduated in 2017 and she started making seven-figure sales at auction within four days. The exhibition at the Wallace Collection comes at a time when the demand for her painting remains very high.

Flora Yukhnovich “I'll Have What She's Having”, 2020. Oil on linen, 169.5x220 cm. © Sotheby's

French Rococo, Italian Baroque and Abstract Expressionism defined Flora´s own painting  language, resulting in artworks full of force and energy, which will be showcased at the Wallace Collection's staircase in June.