07 Jan 2026
A campaign has been launched to save a mural depicting a contemporary illustration of a Shakespearean work hidden for centuries in a St Albans hotel.
The painting at the 15th century White Hart Hotel in Holywell Hill depicts a scene from the Greek legend of Venus and Adonis, which was the subject of an erotic verse by the Bard in 1593.
It is now on view at Pots of Art, the premises of which once formed part of the hotel.
It is believed this mural, which was discovered in 1985, dates from within 10 years of Shakespeare’s poem, and may in fact be the earliest illustration of his work.
An article on the Pots of Art website by Shakespearean expert Thomas Bokenham says: “The discovery was reported only in the local press and the photographs then produced showed few recognisable features which identified its subject.
“However, the Warburg Institute and the eminent Dr. Clive Rouse were able to inspect it and Dr. Rouse gave a glowing report stating it was a priceless discovery which can only be matched in places like Hampton Court. In 1986, the painting was again enclosed in its panelling, though not before Francis Carr was able to make some detailed photographs.
“No further notice appears to have been made to this peculiar situation until the room was let by the Brewers to a bedroom shop, the proprietors of which decided to exhibit parts of this large painting which they have protected by glass panels.”
Expert on Sir Francis Bacon – controversially said to be the author of some or all of Shakespeare’s plays – Francis Carr said: “With its clear Rosicrucian symbolism, it constitutes yet another indication that the author of the Shakespeare plays was Francis Bacon, who lived only two miles away at Gorhambury.
“Experts from the Warburg Institute have concluded that the subject is definitely the death scene from Venus and Adonis. The giant painting may cover all three walls of this room. It must have been commissioned for a special purpose, probably for meetings of a Rosicrucian lodge.”
Historic England consider it to be a national treasure, but, although protected by glass screens, the mural is slowly disintegrating, and will eventually be lost to our cultural heritage unless action is taken soon.
Local history society – the St Albans and Hertfordshire Architectural and Archaeological Society (the “Arc & Arc”), founded in 1845 and one of the oldest heritage organisations in the country – is campaigning to preserve this treasure for posterity.
Approved by Historic England, a full investigation of the mural is about to be undertaken by Dr Andrea Kirkham, a renowned specialist conservator of wall paintings and polychrome decoration, with the aim of discovering the exact present condition of the mural and what action needs to be taken to ensure it can be viewed and enjoyed for many years to come.
It is hoped that this investigation will provide possible links to William Shakespeare and or Sir Francis Bacon.
This procedure will then be followed by a major fund raising campaign to organise what will no doubt be the large sum of money that will be necessary to achieve this aim.
