Henry Hudson: A Rake Revisited

A selection of Henry Hudson's large-scale 'paintings' in Plasticine based on William Hogarth's 'A Rake's Progress' series of paintings, which are on show at the museum. Soane purchased Hogarth's series of satirical paintings in 1802. The eight canvases, which were painted in 1733-34 and are the basis for the well-known series of engravings, depict the story of the hapless Tom Rakewell, starting with 'The Heir', when he comes into his inheritance, and ending with 'The Madhouse', where Rake ends his days in misery. Hudson, who was born in 1982 and became fascinated by Hogarth as a student at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, has interpreted Hogarth's imagery by melting Plasticine and applying it as a thick impasto on board.