Historic prints stolen from artist's car

10:32am Friday 27th February 2004

BARRY Martin, the artist in residence at Chiswick House and Grounds, has this week made a plea to the general public to help him recover an original book of William Hogarth's engravings, which was stolen from his wife's car last week.

The book, which is an original copy of Hogarth's engravings of the character Hudibras, and of great historical importance to lovers of one of Chiswick's most famous ever residents, had been in his wife's car, parked in the Sainsbury's car park just off the A316 on Thursday February 19 at around 7.30pm, when it was stolen.

The works are particularly significant, not only because Mr Martin is the artist in residence at Chiswick House and therefore has a special interest in William Hogarth's work, but because one of his own works of art is also based on the character, Hudibras.

In his piece The Communication', Mr Martin shows Hudibras separated by a pillar from an Italianate woman, Hera and a shadowy figure of Lord Burlington himself in the background.

The work represents Hogarth's hatred for Lord Burlington's passion for classical revival. It is due to be exhibited in Chiswick House shortly, having been donated by a private collector, to go with their new exhibition.

Chiswick House also have another of Mr Martin's charcoal works in their private collection, which will be exhibited in the spring.

The stolen book had a contemporary gilt and was calf coloured.

It was printed by D Midwinter in 1739 and was quite rare and in mint condition. It contained William Hogarth's original engravings and illustrations to Samuel Butler's poem called Hudibras.

Call Twickenham police on 8247 7042 if you have any information about the crime.