In 1942, Hertford House became an unlikely stage for cultural diplomacy, hosting two exhibitions that transformed the empty galleries into a forum for Anglo-Soviet friendship.    

The Wallace Collection at War illuminates how the Wallace Collection contributed to Britain's wartime cultural front. 

Artists Aid Russia brought together over 900 works by living artists, including those from the Artists International Association, who sought to bring socially conscious art to the masses and help artists fleeing Nazi-occupied Europe.   

Join Andy Friend as he focuses on the Artists International Association and discusses how perceptions of events in the Soviet Union shaped artists efforts from the slump in the 1930s, to the era of the Hitler-Stalin pact in 1939 to victory as allies in 1945.    

About the speaker: Andy Friend's most recent book is Comrades in Art, Artists Against Fascism 1933-1943 (Thames and Hudson 2025) which accompanies the exhibition of the same name on at Towner Eastbourne until October 18th.  After a career in business and government, Andy wrote and co-curated the touring exhibitions and wrote the books Ravilious & Co, the Pattern of Friendship in 2017 and John Nash the Landscape of Love and Solace in 2021.    

Take part at the museum: Join us at the museum for this special talk, followed by drinks, book signing and after-hours access to our exhibitions until 20.45. 

Watch online: This talk will also be broadcast live from the museum via Zoom. Online ticketholders will be emailed a link to join 24 hours in advance. Ticketholders will also receive a link to view a recording of the talk, which will be available for two weeks. 

Background Image: ‘Artists Aid Russia exhibition’ poster © FHK Henrion Archive, courtesy of the Henrion Estate. University of Brighton Design Archives