Hogarth - One Man and His Pug

Original version

BBC Four

BBC 4

BBC Four HD

Lars Tharp

John Hodgson

Richard Bright

Secret Knowledge: Hogarth - One Man and His Pug

Documentaries

26/03/2014

Secret Knowledge

BBC Four - Secret Knowledge, Hogarth - One Man and His PugClose menu

Lars Tharp looks into the mystery of artist William Hogarth's obsession with pugs.

Lars Tharp appeals to the nation to help him recover a rare piece of long-lost William Hogarth memorabilia - a precious terracotta sculpture of the artist's beloved pet pug.

To mark 250 years since William Hogarth's death in 1764, ceramics expert and self-confessed Hogarth fanatic Lars Tharp is determined to solve a mystery that has consumed his personal and professional life - the case of Hogarth's lost pug.

In this unique shaggy dog story, Tharp explains Hogarth's obsession with this most characterful of breeds and the pivotal role it played in his life and his work. A canine odyssey that only examines one of his most iconic works of art, but leads us into a world of satire, salaciousness and secrets. From harlots and rakes to the shadowy machinations of the freemasons, Tharp's ultimate goal is to lead an appeal to the nation to help him recover a rare piece of long-lost Hogarth memorabilia - a precious terracotta sculpture of his beloved pet pug.

For Tharp, this is the perfect moment in which to pay tribute to a man whom he regards as our greatest and most influential artist - and what better way to explore a man famed for his wit and humour than on the trail of his most iconic and idiosyncratic four-legged companion.

Knowledge, arts, music and culture from the UK and the world.

BBC Four reflects arts, music and culture with an ambitious range of intellectually and culturally enriching programmes, taking an expert and in-depth approach to its subjects.

Factual: History

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media: Arts

Engaging experts reveal favourite hidden objects, forgotten places and artistic passions.

In a series of authored films, some of our most engaging experts reveal their favourite hidden objects, forgotten places and artistic passions.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Secret Knowledge

Hogarth - One Man and His Pug

Contributors

Genres

Formats

Series

BBC Four

About BBC Four