Broughton Seminar and Exhibition

Governor and Visiting Fellow of the College Dr Lynne Broughton (UWC 1964) visited University College from her home in the UK to deliver the 2019 Broughton Seminar and Exhibition – William Hogarth: Art, Politics and Philanthropy in the Eighteenth Century – on Monday 1 April.

Students, alumni and community members gathered in Leggatt Hall to hear Dr Broughton speak about the life and times of a man whose works will now adorn the walls of UC for generations to come, thanks to a generous donation by Dr Broughton and her family.

Hogarth was born in London, the son of an unsuccessful schoolmaster and writer from Westmoreland. After apprenticeship to a goldsmith, he began to produce his own engraved designs in about 1710. He later took up oil painting, starting with small portrait groups called conversation pieces. He went on to create a series of paintings satirising contemporary customs, but based on earlier Italian prints, of which the first was 'The Harlot's Progress' (1731), and perhaps the most famous 'The Rake's Progress'. His engravings were so plagiarised that he lobbied for the Copyright Act of 1735 as protection for writers and artists. During the 1730s Hogarth also developed into an original painter of life-sized portraits, and created the first of several history paintings in the grand manner (www.nationalgallery.org.uk).

As part of her visit, Dr Broughton met with staff of the University of Melbourne library to inspect works by Hogarth in their rare books and prints collection as well as the National Gallery of Victoria to discuss their vast collection of works by Hogarth. These visits were incorporated into Dr Broughton’s findings to deliver an insightful seminar on the life and times of William Hogarth.

University College was the fortunate recipient of a collection of Hogarth prints from Dr Broughton and her family as well as funds to have the works restored, digitised and framed to be hung in the University College Redevelopment. These pieces include the plates of the Idle and Industrious Prentice, O the Roast Beef of Old England, Scholars at a Lecture and Satire on False Perspective.

We extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr Lynne Broughton for all of her hard work and research in putting together the seminar and exhibition and for her ongoing involvement as a Visiting Fellow of the College. We also thank Lynne and her extended family for their generous donation of the works by Hogarth to the College Art Collection – these pieces will make warm editions to the new buildings at University College. We also thank the University of Melbourne Library, State Library of Victoria and National Gallery of Victoria for their time and assistance in putting on the seminar and exhibition.

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