The Second Floor > Mary Hogarth Room
An Overview of The Mary Hogarth Room
Upon entering the former bedroom of Mary Hogarth, Dickens's sister in law, there is a painting of the Victorian painter Augustus L. Egg. Egg was a friend of Charles and performed with him during his amateur acting days. Next to this painting is a large painting of the character Mr. Micawber from David Copperfield. Directly below is a display case filled with letters and notes from Dickens's days as an actor. The rest of the wall features three frames. The first contains an engraving of Dickens playing Captain Bobadil in the play Every Man in His Humour. The second is a photo of Ellen Ternan, the model for some of Dickens's heroines. The last is a photo of Mrs. Ternan and her three daughters.
Featured in the corner of the room is a commode chair that was owned by Dickens. Above it and around the fireplace are several playbills from plays that Dickens performed in, and a Subscription Book. Directly above the fireplace is a large painting showing Dickens acting as Sir Charles in the play Used Up. This was also painted by Augustus Egg. To the right of the fireplace is a watercolour of Mary Hogarth, a watercolour of The Old Curiosity Shop, and the original artwork for Nell's Bedroom in The Old Curiosity Shop. Below these works is another display case. This one contains information about how the death of Mary affected Charles.
In front of the window is a mirror used by the Dickens family while living at Gads Hill Place. Next to the mirror is Dickens's traveling mirror and court suit. The entire next wall is taken up by a gigantic painting titled "The Lighthouse". It was originally used by Charles as a backdrop for the play of the same name, and then hung at Gad's Hill Place.
| Guided Tour | |
| << Charles and Catherine's Bedroom | Library >> |