Hogarth Exhibition

Bristol's Hidden Treasure: Hogarth's Redcliffe Altarpiece ( with Artist in Residence Eleanor Jane Lee)

Monday 24 April - Wednesday 11 October

In 1755, St Mary Redcliffe Vestry commissioned William Hogarth, the most famous artist in England, to paint a vast tripartite altarpiece to decorate the east end of the church.


The commission marked the culmination of a 50-year process of internal beautification that had begun in 1709.


This exhibition tells the story of the altarpiece in the context both of the church's C18th renovation and Hogarth's career.


It all charts the Victorian removal of the paintings and their subsequent history, and provides information about the church's plans to rehouse the work in a purpose-built new gallery as part of its facilities development initiative Project 450.


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Artist in Residence - Eleanor Jane Lee


During the final weeks of the exhibition, artist, congregation member and volunteer Eleanor will be in church talking to visitors about Hogarth's altarpiece and her own practice based on the work. She will also be exhibiting sketches that have been produced in response to Hogarth's work.


Eleanor will be in residence on the following dates:


  • Friday 19th September
  • Saturday  30th September
  • Sun 1st October (12.30-4pm)
  • Mon 2nd - Friday 6th October (10am-5pm)


Eleanor has produced written information to accompany her residency, including exhibition notes and a handout.


Feel free to approach Eleanor if you have any questions about Hogarth, the altarpiece or her won work. She will be sketching while in residence and is very happy to talk to visitors about the exhibition, Hogarth's work, art in general and creative practice.




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