Hogarth's House

Hogarth's House is the former home of the 18th century English artist William Hogarth in Chiswick. It belongs to the London Borough of Hounslow and is open to the public free of charge. Chiswick is now one of London's western suburbs, but in the 18th century it was a large village or small town quite separate from the metropolis, but within easy reach of it.

The house dates to the late 17th century with a low extension built in the early 18th century. ['Chiswick: Growth', A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 7: Acton, Chiswick, Ealing and Brentford, West Twyford, Willesden (1982), pp. 54-68. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=22559. Date accessed: 9 August 2006.] It was the artist's country retreat from 1749 until his death in 1764, and he shared it with his wife, mother-in-law and sister. He also retained his town house in Leicester Square, but that was demolished in 1870.

Hogarth's House was opened to the public in 1904 by a local land-owner and Hogarth enthusiast, Lieutenant-Colonel Robert William Shipway. Shipway gave the house to Middlesex County Council in 1907 and ownership passed to Hounslow Council when Middlesex was abolished in 1965.

The house was damaged in 1941 during World War II, but was repaired afterwards and reopened in 1951. It was restored again for the Hogarth Tercentenary in 1997. Two floors of the house are open. The furniture includes replicas of 18th century pieces commissioned by Shipway from the Chiswick Art-Workers' Guild. There is an exhibition documenting Hogarth's life and work. Copies of his best known series of engravings are on display including "The Harlot's Progress", "A Rake's Progress" and "Marriage à-la-mode".

The house has an attractive garden which contains a mulberry tree which is at least 300 years old. William Hogarth is buried in the graveyard of the nearby St. Nicholas' Church.

Notes and references

External links

* [http://www.hounslow.info/hogarthshouse London Borough of Houslow's page]
* [http://www.hiddenlondon.com/hoghouse.htm Hidden London]