Hogarth's tomb in Chiswick Churchyard

Image: © Marathon Taken: 6 May 2016

Hogarth's tomb is the one with the urn on top. The tomb was erected soon after the death of Hogarth's sister Anne in 1771. Its classical style was then fashionable. William Hogarth, often called 'the Father of English Painting' is most famous for his series of moralising paintings like 'The Rake's Progress' and 'Marriage-a-la-mode'. A business man as well as an artist, Hogarth published prints of his work from his house in Leicester Square. By 1749, Hogarth could afford to buy a modest country house in Chiswick. This is now known as Hogarth's House and since 1904 has been a museum in his memory. Members of Hogarth's family are commemorated on the monument: his mother-in-law, widow of the court painter Sir James Thornhill, on the west face, and his sister Anne and Mrs Thornhill's cousin, Mary Lewis on the south. Mary inherited Hogarth's House and lived there until her death in 1808. On the east side of the tomb the inscription reads: "Here lies the Body of WILLIAM HOGARTH ESQR who died October the 26th 1764 aged 67 years" "MRS JANE HOGARTH wife of WILLIAM HOGARTH ESQR Obit the 13th November 1789 Aetat 80 years" Strange that it was the later one which switched partly into Latin. The principal inscription on the north face is the epitaph to Hogarth written by his friend David Garrick, the celebrated actor. It starts "Farewell great Painter of Mankind."

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