The Foundling Museum
40 Brunswick Square
London
WC1N 1AZ
England
Website
enquiries@foundlingmuseum.org.uk
Telephone
020 7841 3600
Fax
020 7841 3601
Captain Thomas Coram lived in an age that cared little for the plight of unwanted children, who were often left to die on the streets of London. When Coram retired after a life spent as a successful ship-builder and sailor, primarily based in the New World of America, he was horrified by the spectacle of poverty on London's streets. He spent the remainder of his life striving to fulfil his grand design, which was to establish a refuge for abandoned children. In this endeavour he was assisted by his friend, the artist William Hogarth, who like Coram himself was childless. Their efforts were rewarded in 1739, when George II granted a Royal Charter for the establishment of a Foundling Hospital.
Hogarth personally contributed paintings to decorate the walls of the new building. His example inspired many other contemporary British artists to donate works to this pioneering and philanthropic institution, creating the first British art gallery, The Foundling Hospital, which is now seen as the catalyst for the Royal Academy. At that time there was little exhibition space available for artists in London and the walls of the Hospital served this purpose.
The rich and powerful were encouraged to come and view the pictures as well as the children, with the hope that they might commission works from one of the exhibiting artists and contribute to the work of the Hospital.
George Frideric Handel also supported the Hospital's charitable work by giving benefit performances of his work in the Chapel.
In the 1920's the Foundling Hospital was pulled down, but the treasures were saved and moved to 40 Brunswick Square. The Foundling Museum houses the nationally important Foundling Hospital Collection. The work with very vulnerable children continued with the Thomas Coram Foundation for Children, today known as Coram Family. The Foundling Museum was established in 1998 as a separate but closely linked charity.
Venue Type:
Museum
40 Brunswick Square
London
WC1N 1AZ
England
Website
enquiries@foundlingmuseum.org.uk
Telephone
020 7841 3600
Fax
020 7841 3601
At the Museum you can see:
* Poignant social history gallery telling the story of London's first home for abandoned children, including personal histories, artefacts, photographs and recordings;
* London's first art gallery featuring works by Hogarth, Rysbrack, Gainsborough, Reynolds, Roubiliac, Hudson, Ramsay and Wilson;
* Fine eighteenth-century, Rococo and Georgian interiors; and
* Gerald Cook Handel collection of Handel memorabilia.
Collection details
Archives, Decorative and Applied Art, Fine Art, Music, Personalities, Social History
Key artists and exhibits
- London's first children's home
- Rococo interior
- Georgian interior
- Coram
- Hogarth
- Rysbrack
- Gainsborough
- Reynolds
- Roubiliac
- Hudson
- Ramsay
- Wilson
- Handel
Collections services
- General guide to collections available
- Object identification and/or written enquiry service
- Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
40 Brunswick Square
London
WC1N 1AZ
England
Website
enquiries@foundlingmuseum.org.uk
Telephone
020 7841 3600
Fax
020 7841 3601
Mat Collishaw, Tracey Emin & Paula Rego: At the Foundling
This exhibition brings together these three remarkable artists for the first time. Now exhibiting together in the unique and intimate surroundings of the Foundling Museum, the artists have engaged in a dramatic visual dialogue relating to the story and themes of the Museum.
Tracey Emin’s series of discarded baby items cast in bronze make an extraordinarily powerful and autobiographical references to loss. Equally provoking are Mat Collishaw’s presentation of a photographic series depicting Indian street children with eighteenth-century backdrops. Paula Rego’s life size figures of waif- like girls and babies depicting the violation and fall of young women.
Suitable for
- All ages
Admission
Admission £7.50, concessions £5, children free
Late at the Foundling...with Paula Rego
Come to the Foundling Museum for an evening drink and see the current exhibition "Mat Collishaw, Tracey Emin & Paula Rego: At the Foundling". Join artist Paula Rego in conversation with curator Gill Hedley for an exclusive insight into her latest exhibition.
Suitable for
- All ages
When
6-9pm
Admission
Artist's talk £10 (includes a drink), admission only £5, book on 020 7841 3600
40 Brunswick Square
London
WC1N 1AZ
England
Website
enquiries@foundlingmuseum.org.uk
Telephone
020 7841 3600
Fax
020 7841 3601
40 Brunswick Square
London
WC1N 1AZ
England
Website
enquiries@foundlingmuseum.org.uk
Telephone
020 7841 3600
Fax
020 7841 3601
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