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Did you know? The Circular Paintings which line the walls of the Court Room at the Foundling Museum represent different hospitals

May 2024

Each of the circular paintings (roundels) which line the walls of the Court Room at the Foundling Museum represent a different hospital (residential charities, not necessarily medical institutions). Among these eight roundels is a painting of the newly established Foundling Hospital placed amongst other significant hospitals of its time, to promote its growing significance.

Image credit: © GG Archard. All paintings and objects are part of the Foundling Museum collection

These were all made for the Hospital's Court Room. This includes Charterhouse by Thomas Gainsborough who was one of the most influential artists of Britain’s eighteenth century.

Image credit: © GG Archard. All paintings and objects are part of the Foundling Museum collection

Gainsborough studied art with the likes of William Hogarth, whose work also hangs at the far-left side of the Court Room. Thomas Gainsborough later went on to become a successful landscape and portrait painter, and was a founding member of the Royal Academy. The Governors who would formally meet in this room played a significant role in the establishment of the Royal Academy.

Image credit: © GG Archard. All paintings and objects are part of the Foundling Museum collection

The Court Room in our museum today is one of three historic rooms, which are accurate representations of their original layout in the former Foundling Hospital. It is still fitted with its original Rococo ceiling which was transported piece by piece from the original site of the hospital.

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