Condition of Shakespeare mural to be examined

A full examination of a mural of a William Shakespeare poem believed to date from the 17th Century is to be carried out.

The hidden artwork was found in the Grade II* listed White Hart Hotel in St Albans, Hertfordshire.

The scene of the Greek legend of Venus and Adonis is thought to date from within 10 years of the poem being published in 1593.

St Albans and Hertfordshire Architectural and Archaeological Society (Arc & Arc) said that, with the approval of Historic England, four days of research must get under way to "preserve this treasure for posterity".

Arc & Arc said Shakespeare wrote his erotic version of the Greek story in 1593, and during his lifetime "it was his most popular work".

It said it was one of only two contemporary illustrations of a Shakespearean work.

The art, which is in Pots of Art, part of the 15th Century hotel building, is currently behind glass screens but is "slowly disintegrating, and this treasure will eventually be lost to our cultural heritage".

"The mural is considered by Historic England as a national treasure," the society added.

Work is set to start on 19 January and will be carried out by Dr Andrea Kirkham, a specialist conservator of wall paintings and polychrome decoration.

She aims to discover the exact condition of the mural and what action needs to be taken to ensure it can be viewed and enjoyed for many years to come.

The society said that once a full report was submitted it would work out what happens next, but it expected the cost of conservation work to run into hundreds of thousands of pounds.

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