Shakespeare & Bacon (sort of!) at the BBC
An Unknown ‘National Treasure’ – Shakespeare’s Venus & Adonis Mural in Francis Bacon’s Hometown of St Albans
Buried away in the Pots of Art Pottery Shop part of The 15th century White Hart Inn in St Albans is a priceless artefact, a major national treasure, a unique contemporary painting of a Shakespeare work. The artwork c. 1600 features the goddess Venus, the dying Adonis, and a boar, and many Rosicrucian and Baconian symbols.
In 40 years from its first discovery until now, there has been no extensive conservation or restoration and no media attention. Isn’t this strange, what can account for it?
Consequently through years of neglect, the mural is now in pretty bad condition. If this mural was in Stratford upon Avon, the full force of experts, academics, conservators, the art and literary communities would be supporting it financially, alongside mass worldwide publicity. But in this case it is largely unknown and unnoticed, even by the locals. It’s hard to understand unless we consider that it is one more piece of very strong physical evidence of Bacon’s connection to Shakespeare, and maybe there is an uneasiness about the very clear links to Bacon, both in terms of its content and its geographical location.
A campaign to raise awareness about this priceless treasure has begun with a report on the BBC website Here followed by a news report on BBC London TV. Conspicuous by its absence, is any reference whatsoever to Francis Bacon, whose country residence was at Gorhambury less than 2 miles from The White Hart Inn, or to Bacon 400, a celebration year commemorating St Alban’s most famous son.
Watch the BBC News Report about the unique Shakespeare Mural in Francis Bacon’s St Albans 20/2/2026 Here
