A little while ago, I spent the day in Chiswick, in west London. It’s probably the part of London that I’m least familiar with, and this was actually my first time in Chiswick itself. Huge error! Chiswick Park is absolutely stunning!
But the whole reason I was in Chiswick was to go see the artist William Hogarth’s house. The house was originally built in the early 1700s and the Hogarths purchased it in the mid 1700s. It’s where William had his painting room and he’s buried nearby. Hogarth’s artwork was highly satirical and somewhat moralising. Just take a look at his series of pictures, “Marriage à-la-mode“, if you don’t believe me.
I enjoyed following the stories in Hogarth’s incredible detailed prints, but occasionally I would have to stop and look around at something else because my brain was on sensory overload from all the detail and occasional depravity. I obviously didn’t pass up the opportunity to dress like Hogarth, as you can see below.
The house was damaged by a parachute mine during WWII but has since been refurbished. Entrance to the house and the museum is free of charge. The last few photos in the post are just to capture a bit of the beauty of nearby Chiswick Park.
Turnham Green is the nearest Tube Station and that’s about a 20 minute walk away. Hogarth Lane, Great West Road, London W4 2QN
Have you visited Hogarth’s house? What about Chiswick?