William Blake (1757-1827) Illustrations to Thomas Gray, “Ode on the Death of a Favourite Cat.”. Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection (B1992.8.11 - Facsimile)
Image credit: William Blake (1757-1827) Illustrations to Thomas Gray, “Ode on the Death of a Favourite Cat.”. Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection (B1992.8.11 - Facsimile)
HORACE WALPOLE’S CAT - A talk by writer and award-winning broadcaster, Sir Christopher Frayling.
4 August 2021 at 6.30pm
Doors open at 6.30pm and the talk will begin at 7.30pm
This illustrated talk explores the events surrounding the tragic death of Walpole’s tabby cat Selima, in a Chinese blue and white porcelain tub, in February 1747, and the mock-heroic epitaph of a poem written in her honour by Thomas Gray - in the context of Horace Walpole's life and times.
It then examines how artists have used their imaginations to illustrate the poem, from Richard Bentley's original designs, via William Blake, to Kathleen Hale - she of 'Orlando the Marmalade Cat'.
Includes the opportunity to see the In Focus display: Goldfish Bowl temporarily on loan from the Derby Collection, and a glass of fizz.
Tickets
Standard Adult: £20
Members, Patrons and Students £15
Online Tickets - Live streamed on Zoom
Standard Adult: £8
Members, Patrons and Students: £5
Book Now: www.strawberryhillhouse.org.uk/whats-on/