HOGARTH'S CHISWICK - A SPECIAL EXHIBITION AT HOGARTH'S HOUSE

Chiswick in the 1740s, '50s and '60s is the subject of a special exhibition at Hogarth's House this summer. It has been put together by a small working party from the Brentford & Chiswick Local History Society which is also planning talks and walks associated with the exhibition for the summer months. The project has been funded by a lottery grant of £3,750 from the Awards for All Scheme.

Hogarth took his house in Chiswick (now a museum in his honour) in September 1749. He used it as a summer retreat from his studio and shop in Leicester Fields (now Leicester Square) every year. Indeed he was there on the day before he died in October 1764 and he is buried in St Nicholas churchyard. The group set out to discover what Chiswick was like when Hogarth lived there.

• John Rocque's remarkable large scale map, published in 1745, revealed details of the landscape and buildings
• parish records provided information about local government, the Chiswick population, their names and the appallingly high death rate amongst infants
• licensing records and news-cuttings revealed details of the huge number of local pubs and entertainments, and
• old recipe books and surveys of agriculture suggested ideas about local food and farming.

The exhibition also includes details of Hogarth's Chiswick neighbours and includes portraits of some of his circle of literary and artistic people.

The exhibition uses prints, maps and other images from the Local Studies Collection at Chiswick Library together with finds from the Thames foreshore, such as 18th century clay pipes, fragments of wine glasses and wig curlers.

The group members are Val Bott, Libby Gilliver, Lorna Leach, Rodney Walshaw and Trevor West who shared the research. Val Bott co-ordinated the script-writing, Rodney Walshaw designed the information panels and Dick Gilliver of the Rich Tapestry Company has sponsored the printing.

The exhibition is open to visitors Tuesday - Friday 1-5pm, Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays 1-6pm, admission free. Designated parking for visitors is available inside the Hogarth Business Park, immediately to the east of the House, bus 190 stops in Burlington Lane 5 minutes away, and the House is 15 minutes' walk from Turnham Green and Chiswick stations. Admission is free.

The telephone number of Hogarth's House, for visitors wishing to check opening hours etc is 020 8994 6757.

LINKS

Hogarth gets the brush off

Hogarth takes up residence on the High Road

Hislop and Hockney do the honours

Hogarth's Birthday party

The Story of the Campaign

The Rake's Progress

Hockney's generosity to Chiswick charity