We’re in both Chiswick and the National Gallery, where you’ll find the statue, and most notable painting, of William Hogarth, a painter, engraver, and lover of Pugs
We’re pleased to bring you the Your Dog Tourist Guide, a trip across both the UK the world to find our favourite dog associated tourist hotspots. From well-known attractions to hidden gems, we’re giving you great places to visit that have a canine connection. This month, we’re in the big smoke. London. Two different spots to be exact. Chiswick plays host to the statue of William Hogarth. The National Gallery to his most famous piece of work!
Painter and advocate
Born in 1697 to a middleclass London family, William Hogarth became an engraving apprentice at the age of 16, before taking up a career as a painter, engraver, pictorial social satirist, editorial cartoonist, and art writer. His most popular work, a series consisting of A Harlots Progress A Rake’s Progress, and Marriage A-la-Mode lead to illustrations in this style being referred to as “Hogarthian.”
From humble beginnings, Hogarth is today remembered as the ‘Father of British Painting’ by lovers of his work. He was also a keen animal lover. Hogarth had a sharp moral compass and used his works to highlight injustices and issues of the day, including poverty, corruption, and cruelty to animals, famously creating many images that opposed animal mistreatment, such as The Four Stages of Cruelty.
His love for animals extended particularly to one breed – the Pug. He owned many Pugs and they featured in his works. Hogarth’s stance against the state of animal welfare at the time were further displayed publicly when he chose not to have the ears of his Pug cropped. A move that went heavily against the status quo at the time.
From the early stages of his career, Hogarth became synonymous with Pugs. His most depicted Pug, which he named Trump, was not his first, but has since become one of the most recognisable dogs in art due to how frequently he appeared in Hogarth’s work. Trump appeared in several pieces of work by William Hogarth, such as his 1730 group portrait of William Wollaston and his Family, the fifth scene of his 1732 – 1735 series ‘A Rake’s Progress’ known as ‘Married To An Old Maid’, and a 1745 portrait of Captain Lord George Graham and his Cabin. His most famous appearance came in Hogarth’s self-portrait ‘The Painter and his Pug’.
The painter and his Pug
In 1730, Hogarth began painting The Painter and his Pug, a selfportrait including his beloved Pug, Trump. The portrait took 15 years to finish. It is said many changes were made by Hogarth until its finished look in 1745. Hogarth’s free thinking is once again apparent as not only did he decide to include his much-loved canine companion alongside his self-portrait, Hogarth himself is depicted wearing informal clothing, something considered to be bizarre for a gentleman of his status during this time.
You can currently find The Painter and his Pug at the National Gallery, on loan from the Tate Britain, which is the work’s permanent residence. So, it is a good idea to check where the painting is being displayed before travelling to see this stunning piece.
The William Hogarth statue
To mark his influence on British art and moral culture, in October 2001, a statue of Hogarth was commissioned. An appeal was launched to raise funds for the statue but once the target of £50,000 was met, it was realised the original design would not include Trump! A last-minute appeal was launched to boost the funding by £10,000 so the artist would be forever flanked by his canine best friend. The statue consists of Hogarth, in casual clothing, holding his painting brush and palette. Below him, Trump sits proudly by his feet, facing in the same direction.
To this day, the statue is a popular tourist sport in Chiswick and can be found on the prominent junction of Turnham Green Terrace and Chiswick High Road. William Hogarth had bought a house Chiswick, London, in 1749 to step away from the busy location of Leicester Fields (now Leicester Square) where he previously resided. The house, which is still known as Hogarth House, had a studio in it where Hogarth would work, and many of his beloved pets were buried in the corner of the garden.
Hogarth’s work also brings to light the evolution of the Pug in just over 200 years, a result of changing breed standards in the world of showing your dog. In the eighteenth century, the Pug was larger in stature, and had larger ears before they were cropped. Most notably, their heads and noses were larger and rounder.
Statue FAQs
Where is the statue?
The statue can be found on Chiswick High Road in West London.
How can I get there?
The easiest way to get there is on the London Underground. Get off the tube at Turnham Green which operates on the District and Picadilly lines. Once you’re out of the station, head down Turnham Green Terrace until the end of the street where you’ll notice the statue on the opposite side of the street.
How much does it cost?
The statue is free to enjoy, so too are the picturesque paths around the area.
Portrait FAQs
Where can I find it?
The Painter and his Pug is currently on loan at the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square as part of their Bicentenary displays.
How much does it cost?
General admission is free. What are the opening times? The National Gallery is open daily between 10am – 6pm and until 9pm on Fridays.
How can I get there?
The best method of transport is via the underground and getting off at Charing Cross, which operates the Bakerloo and Northern line. When the portrait returns to the Tate Britain, entry to the collection is also free to everyone. However, booking is recommended for exhibitions.
The gallery is open to every day between 10am – 6pm. The easiest method of transport is also the underground. The gallery is 600 metres away from Pimlico station, which operates the Victoria line.