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Hogarth Lane, Great West Road, W4
The former country home of the 18th century English artist William Hogarth in Chiswick.
Although Chiswick is now one of London's western suburbs, in the 18th century it was still a large village in the countryside. The house, which was modelled on Palladio's Villa Capra, near Vicenza, dates from the late 17th century with a low extension built in the early 18th century.
It was the Hogarth's country retreat from 1749 until his death in 1764, and he shared it with his wife, mother-in-law and sister.
Hogarth, the artist who will always be remembered for his depiction of the degradation of the poor in London's 18th century streets (Gin Lane), was born at St. Bartholomew's Close, near to Smithfield Market and later owned a house in Leicester Square but it was at his Chiswick home that he found a peaceful refuge from London life.
Two floors of the house are open and contain replicas of 18th century furniture. 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 a la Mode.
The house has an attractive garden which contains a mulberry tree which is at least 300 years old.
William Hogarth died at his Chiswick home, aged 67 and is buried in the graveyard of the nearby St. Nicholas' Church in Chiswick.
"Hogarth seems to have received no other education than that of a mechanic, and his outset in life was unpropitious. Young Hogarth was bound apprentice to a silversmith (whose name was Gamble) of some eminence; by whom he was confined to that branch of the trade, which consists in engraving arms and cyphers upon the plate. While thus employed, he gradually acquired some knowledge of drawing; and, before his apprenticeship expired, he exhibited talent for caricature.
The following circumstance gave the first indication of the talents with which Hogarth afterwards proved himself to be so liberally endowed.
During his apprenticeship, he set out one Sunday, with two or three companions, on an excursion to Highgate. The weather being hot, they went into a public-house; where they had not long been, before a quarrel arose between some persons in the same room; from words they soon got to blows, and the quart pots being the only missiles at hand, were sent flying about the room in glorious confusion. This was a scene too laughable for Hogarth to resist. He drew out his pencil, and produced on the spot one of the most ludicrous pieces that ever was seen; which exhibited likenesses not only of the combatants engaged in the affray, but also of the persons gathered round them, placed in grotesque attitudes, and heightened with character and points of humour.
In the year 1730, he clandestinely married the only daughter of Sir James Thornhill, the painter, who was not easily reconciled to her union with an obscure artist, as Hogarth then comparatively was. Shortly after, he commenced his first great series of moral paintings, "The Harlot's Progress:" some of these were, at Lady Thornhill's suggestion, designedly placed by Mrs. Hogarth in her father's way, in order to reconcile him to her marriage. Being informed by whom they were executed, Sir James observed, "The man who can produce such representations as these, can also maintain a wife without a portion." He soon after, however, relented, and became generous to the young couple, with whom he lived in great harmony until his death, which took place in 1733." (The Works of William Hogarth, by The Rev. John Trusler.)
Admission free
Nearest tube: Turnham Green
Telephone: 020 8994 6757
Openening times: Tues-Fri 13.00-17.00 (Nov-March 13.00-16.00) Sat
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