His country home has had a fascinating history, told in display panels throughout the house, including a fire in 2009 which set back the schedule of the restoration. Thanks to total grants of £312,400 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), supported with further funding from Hounslow Council, the Hogarth Trust, the John & Ruth Howard Trust, and the Old Chiswick Protection Society, the interior of Hogarth’s House has now been transformed in every glorious original detail, with panelling painted in 18th-century colours, and fire surrounds, early wood floorboards, and shutters carefully restored.

The historic residence holds an extensive collection of the artist’s 18th-century prints and a set of his engraving plates, of which a selection will always be on display. Replicas of furniture from Hogarth’s prints, made in 1904, give a good idea of how the house would have looked in the 18th century, and a number of personal items belonging to the Hogarths, which have been traced in other collections, will return to the house for the first time in over 200 years. These include vital tools for his work such as his palette and mahl stick, objects demonstrating his sociable nature such as his punchbowl and card counters, and a stand for his famous pug dog’s bowl. Children can imagine life in Hogarth’s times by dressing up in a specially commissioned costume replicating the clothes in his self-portraits.

Before, the house was a formal gallery of prints. When visitors were consulted they requested displays which would help them understand it as a home. Now the whole experience has been refreshed to reveal the history of the house, describing not only the use of the rooms but also much more about the many other past residents.

Councillor Pritam Grewal said: “Hogarth made his art available to the public through large print runs that could be viewed for free in shop windows. We honour his memory by offering people the chance to visit his home, free of charge, to find out about his life and work.”

Wesley Kerr, Chairman of the HLF for London, attending the opening, said: “Hogarth is the quintessential London artist, a genius chronicler of people and society at a time when Britain was in flux, divided, and anxious about corruption.  His superbly restored home in what was once the quiet 18th century village of Chiswick tells the story of the life of a great man in a cosy domestic setting and shows us that his ideas, images and prints are as relevant now as in his own time. The Heritage Lottery Fund is pleased to have been the main backer of the project , which has reinvigorated one of our great artist’s dwellings and shows that the ”line of beauty”  still resides next to the A4.”

Hogarth’s House, Hogarth Lane, Great West Road, London W4 2QN will be open to the public from 8 November 2011, Tuesday to Sunday, 12 -5pm. Admission free. For more information visit the London Borough of Hounslow website or ring 020 8994 6757. 

Notes to editors

Hogarth’s House
Hogarth's House is a Grade I-listed Building from around 1715, and was the country home of the painter, engraver and satirist William Hogarth (1697 - 1764) from 1749 until his death. Hogarth painted in a studio in the walled garden that provided a quiet summer retreat from the family's town house in what is now Leicester Square.

Heritage Lottery Fund
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported 30,000 projects, allocating £4.7billion across the UK.

Further information

For more details contact Vicky Wilford, HLF Press Office, on 020 7591 6046 or email vickyw@hlf.org.uk.

Further information about Hogarth's House can be obtained by emailing hogarthshouse@laing.com.