A faded mural on a wall, with wooden frames around it, showing a man on the ground and a horse. The image is hard to make out but is mostly grey and brown, with bits missing.

Condition of Shakespeare mural in St Albans to be examined

January 10, 2026

Arc & Arc said Shakespeare wrote his more 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.