The Foundling Museum tells the story of the Foundling Hospital, the UK's first children's charity and first public art gallery. The Foundling Museum explores the history of the Foundling Hospital, the UK’s first children’s charity and first public art gallery.
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Through a dynamic programme of exhibitions and events, we celebrate the ways in which artists and children have inspired each other for over 275 years. Discover the intriguing story behind this important London institution and the children who grew up there, alongside original period interiors, poignant artefacts and inspiring art. Pick up a unique, artist-designed souvenir in our Shop, or relax in our Café, offering a delicious selection of teas, coffees, cakes and light lunches. To keep up to date with our latest exhibitions, events and more join our mailing list: https://goo.gl/AMBqsa
Operating as usual
If you have an interest in music in eighteenth-century Britain, why not join in with our annual conference this Friday. Sign up for the live, free Zoom talk at 15:00 and enjoy a variety of other talks available via YouTube on the day. http://ow.ly/HK7C50CtcsU
A colourful start to Friday with this #covidletters contribtuion from Anika, 12, from Kent, who has some comments about our PM's hair styling! http://ow.ly/Dakq50CpjNv
At first, this padlock may not seem that special, but it's in fact a token. Engraved with a tile design and concentric circles, this is on display in our Introductory Gallery when the Museum's open. #TokenThursday
We're looking for someone to join our team as a Community Engagement Coordinator, and develop and deliver our community engagement strategy. To see the full details and to learn how to apply, please visit: http://ow.ly/vsJE50CmWgx
On Sunday 29 November, join Musicke in the Ayre online at 15:00 for a selection of live video extracts concerts performed at the Foundling between 2013-2017. http://ow.ly/roVB50CmDRX
Join us online to explore our past exhibition 26 Pairs of Eyes with a new film, made with the support of Arts Council England.
For this 2015 exhibition, twenty six writers were invited to animate items from the Museum’s Collection through a series of short texts. http://ow.ly/5Mbo50CjXBy
“Ultimately these letters have captured a moment in history that will no doubt see their way into future books on the history of the Covid crisis” - Camden New journal
Don't miss out on seeing #covidletters when lockdown ends. Thanks to Alfie, age 10 for this work.
http://ow.ly/lykA50ChCmm
This year's Christmas card, has been designed by Sir Quentin Blake CBE, one of Britain’s best-loved illustrators.
Blake’s card references the Museum’s remarkable 300-year old story and collection through the Foundling Lamb, which featured in the coat of arms designed for the Foundling Hospital by William Hogarth, and is always depicted carrying of a sprig of thyme in its mouth.
Proceeds from card sales will support the Museum’s vital work, transforming the lives of disadvantaged children through the arts. There is a limited supply left, so don't miss out. Currently available from Art UK http://ow.ly/OKwK50Cgw1V
This enamel ale label is one of our more unique #tokens in the collection. With no further information about its origins, the background remains a mystery #TokenThursday
On Armistice Day, we're remembering pupils of the Foundling Hospital who were later in the armed forces. These archive photos show two former pupils.
David Blyth is the man pictured solo. David fought in the far east during WWII and spent time in a Japanese prisoner of war camp.
In the group picture, Richard Woolcott is the boy in the chairs looking back at the camera. During service, he got ill and was sent on a train elsewhere to recover - the train went through Hiroshima after the bomb.
David and Richard both survived and lived into their 90s. David joined the RAF after the war and travelled the world, and got involved in running multiple marathons. Richard later moved to Canada.
#OnThisDay in 1697 William Hogarth was born. Hogarth was instrumental in helping Coram realise his vision of the Foundling Hospital, encouraging leading artists of the day to donate work, thereby establishing the UK’s first public art gallery.
"Amazing exhibition, one of the best I've ever seen". We're looking forward to welcoming you all back to see #covidletters once restrictions end. In the meantime, keep checking our social media channels to learn more about this "real masterpiece". Art by Aiden, age 7.
On Remembrance Sunday we'd like to honour pupils of the Foundling Hospital who sadly lost their lives in World War I and World War II. This inscribed Roll of Honour and Commemorative Salver were kindly donated to us by members of the Old Coram Association.
Ayla, aged 12, has some rather scathing thoughts on the use of funds during the pandemic. This astute artist from East Sussex isn't holding anything back! #covidletters http://ow.ly/MFju50Ca99g
Though #bonfirenight displays may not be going ahead this year, enjoy this eighteenth-century engraving from our Gerald Coke Handel Collection. The central firework is inscribed with Vivat Rex, though this copy is perhaps printed in reverse as the Vivat Rex is backwards.
A few of our tokens are religious medals, like this brass Catholic one. Pictured here is Our Lady of Guadalupe on the reverse. The loop at the top shows it was intended to be worn as a pendant. #TokenThursday
Enjoy a new Young Artists' Platform profile and hear harpist Elin Samuel discuss her musical career to date in a short film made especially for the Museum. http://ow.ly/zLeD50C6WlM
In light of the new Government lockdown, we will now be closed until 2 December, or until restrictions are lifted.
If you have a ticket for admission in November, we will refund these in due course, you don't need to do anything.
In the meantime, we will keep you updated with all the latest information via our social media channels, along with facts, images and stories from the Foundling Museum's collections and history, including our current exhibition, #covidletters.
We look forward to welcoming you back in the near future.
See original artwork created by children articulating their feelings about the Government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis, the NHS, and lockdown in #covidletters, on until 17 January 2021. Don't be a carrot and miss it, book your tickets now. http://ow.ly/cvEX50C6iid
This letter is by Cecily, age 10.
Happy #Halloween! If you're looking to entertain the family today, have a look at our spooky craft activities for children to try at home. http://ow.ly/AN8y50C3QSs
Make a Halloween t-shirt with a statement, in this exciting activity inspired by Sports Banger’s fashion and bootleg t-shirts.
Watch this film by Rowena Kinghorn and using scissors, markers, and iron on transfers, adapt a t-shirt to suit your individual Halloween style by following Rowena Longhorn's lead! Will you choose to make a t - shirt with a scary monster, a wriggling newt, a wild grinning pumpkin, a screaming black cat or a cackling flying witch, on your front?
As it's nearly #halloween here's a rather monstrous #token. This seven-headed beast is a depiction from the Book of Revelation, ridden by Babylon the Great. The token is a brass reckoning counter from Hans Krauwinckel, a well known Jeton master. #TokenThursday
'Tell him Jonny Banger says your pants are on fire' - Jonny Banger speaks to The Observer about The Covid Letters, Boris Johnson and his upcoming projects: http://ow.ly/RlcW50C5dzN
The best new design this month, from walking wheelchairs and floating churches to kids’ take on Boris Johnson
Fancy a conker party? Why not go for a walk, then set the party scene with some brightly coloured leaves, choose your favorite tunes, then ask along some Autumn friends to join the rave?
Inspired by the autumnal colour's and Sports Banger's interest in London's rave culture, join in an Autumn rave. This film by artist Emma Crouch leads you through how to create your own personal autumn rave, featuring conkers, stones, hips and acorns, against a backdrop of bright coloured autumn leaves.
Inspired by Halloween and Sports Banger t-shirt hacks, make your own scary face masks without and sewing!
Follow this step by step film by Rowena Kinghorn to discover how to make a Halloween mask with a face. Choose from a grinning pumpkin, a wailing ghost or a scary skeleton facemask, to wear at Halloween to give your friends a fright!
Enjoy our online series London Theatre Stories, where you can explore the lives of musicians working in London theatre orchestras in the eighteenth century. http://ow.ly/p58450C0XfK
On our #covidletters opening day, we'd like to say a huge thank you to all of our exhibition supporters - National Lottery Heritage Fund, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Arts Council England, Art Fund, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Pilgrim Trust, John Lyon's Charity, Peter Brown, David Pike, Clore Duffield Foundation, J Paul Getty Jr Charitable Trust, and other anonymous donors.
Until 17 January, you now can visit #covidletters, our new exhibition of work gathered by @BangerJonny from the nation’s children during lockdown. This exhibition brings to life the Museum’s 300-year-old story of creative campaigning and social justice. http://ow.ly/U8PI50C0Q0m
Tomorrow #covidletters opens. See how children have depicted their feelings about the Government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis and the NHS. Book now: http://ow.ly/jaRc50C0Q0k #NationalLotteryHeritageFund #culturalrecoveryfund
One day until #covidletters opens! Book your tickets now to this this exhibition, from 24 October 2020 - 17 January 2021. http://ow.ly/UYAW50BXlS2 #NationalLotteryHeritageFund
Not long now until #covidletters opens! From Saturday you can enjoy our new exhibition from Jonny Banger and his work he gathered from the nation’s children during lockdown. Book now http://ow.ly/soYG50BZSZv #NationalLotteryHeritageFund
This is shilling, from the reign of Edward VI (1547-1553) has been split into two. The two deep scratches that run across the obverse are possibly a way of matching this half coin with its other half. #TokenThursday
The Foundling Museum's cover photo
On 28 October learn how we uncover stories of people of colour that were in the care of the Foundling Hospital. This free online talk will explore ongoing research, by Hannah Dennett, into identifying these foundlings through the story of Thomas Trowbridge, who was admitted in 1798.
Hannah Dennett is a PhD researcher based at the University of Warwick and working in collaboration with the Foundling Museum.
After the talk there will be a live Q&A. http://ow.ly/czlg50BXAyt
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Make a Halloween t-shirt with a statement, in this exciting activity inspired by Sports Banger’s fashion and bootleg t-shirts. Watch this film by Rowena Kinghorn and using scissors, markers, and iron on transfers, adapt a t-shirt to suit your individual Halloween style by following Rowena Longhorn's lead! Will you choose to make a t - shirt with a scary monster, a wriggling newt, a wild grinning pumpkin, a screaming black cat or a cackling flying witch, on your front?
Fancy a conker party? Why not go for a walk, then set the party scene with some brightly coloured leaves, choose your favorite tunes, then ask along some Autumn friends to join the rave? Inspired by the autumnal colour's and Sports Banger's interest in London's rave culture, join in an Autumn rave. This film by artist Emma Crouch leads you through how to create your own personal autumn rave, featuring conkers, stones, hips and acorns, against a backdrop of bright coloured autumn leaves.
Inspired by Halloween and Sports Banger t-shirt hacks, make your own scary face masks without and sewing! Follow this step by step film by Rowena Kinghorn to discover how to make a Halloween mask with a face. Choose from a grinning pumpkin, a wailing ghost or a scary skeleton facemask, to wear at Halloween to give your friends a fright!
Until 17 January, you now can visit #covidletters, our new exhibition of work gathered by @BangerJonny from the nation’s children during lockdown. This exhibition brings to life the Museum’s 300-year-old story of creative campaigning and social justice. http://ow.ly/U8PI50C0Q0m
Tomorrow #covidletters opens. See how children have depicted their feelings about the Government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis and the NHS. Book now: http://ow.ly/jaRc50C0Q0k #NationalLotteryHeritageFund #culturalrecoveryfund
Not long now until #covidletters opens! From Saturday you can enjoy our new exhibition from Jonny Banger and his work he gathered from the nation’s children during lockdown. Book now http://ow.ly/soYG50BZSZv #NationalLotteryHeritageFund
Until 28 March, discover the life and work of Richard Leveridge, a leading singer on the 18th-century London stage, in this Handel Gallery display. In this short film with Katharine Hogg, Gerald Coke Handel Collection Librarian, view a glimpse of the Museum display.
Do you remember our installation Exchange? Did you keep one of the cups and do a good deed? If so, let us know! Share photos of the cup you received and tell us about your deed. Learn more about our #kindnesscup campaign by watching the film below... Arts Council England
In 2013, we hosted Exchange, a site-specific installation. Leading ceramic artist Clare Twomey inscribed individual good deeds onto over 1,000 cups and saucers, encouraging visitors to undertake a good deed in exchange for keeping the cup. During lockdown, the Museum received an email from one of the recipients of a cup to say she’d finally completed her good deed. During a time when the country was rooting for the NHS and other unsung heroes, the team decided to revisit the exhibition and rekindle it in a digital format. When lockdown started to ease, Clare Twomey, alongside the Museum's Director Caro Howell, made this short film introducing our new #kindnesscup campaign. Watch the film, have a cup of your favourite drink, and think about what kind thing you’re going to do. When you’ve done it, tag 3 friends and pass on the #kindnesscup. Arts Council England
Are you looking for activities to do with the kids over the summer holidays? As we're not currently running workshops at the Museum, we've created a range of online art activities so you can get creative at home. From printmaking to games, there's something for everyone. Keep an eye on our website or follow us on Instagram for new activities each week. Find the whole range here: http://ow.ly/8AXU50AXl6R Happy making!
We're happy to be able to welcome people back to the Museum from this Wednesday! Pre-book for entry to #PortrayingPregnancy and the Museum in general. http://ow.ly/VCST50AmI9T
Photographer Karolina Heller visited us shortly before lockdown and produced this lovely, short video showcasing the Museum.
To celebrate #MuseumFromHome, here's a family activity from our learning department that you can do in the comfort of your own home.
If you find yourself running low on toilet paper during this time, why not take a tip from our #TwoLastNights exhibition. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, theatre performances lasted several hours without intervals and toilet provision was almost non-existent and limited at best. Toilet paper is not mentioned in any surviving theatre accounts, although it was certainly in use. Known as ‘bum-fodder’ (now contracted to the word ‘bumf, meaning ‘paperwork’), it may have been accounted for in general bills for goods and services. It has also been suggested that the lack of surviving programmes could be due to their having been used for this purpose during performances!
This monumental work by Jenny Saville features in #PortrayingPregnancy. Saville is interested ‘in the physical power a large female body has – [someone] who occupies a lot of space, but who’s also acutely aware that contemporary culture encourages her to disguise her bulk and look as small as possible.’ Learn more about this exhibition here: http://bit.ly/2FwERso Image thanks to Jenny Saville. Photo: Prudence Cuming Associates. Courtesy the artist and Gagosian
Marcus Gheeraerts II, leading 16th-century court painter, was known as a specialist in pregnancy portraits as examples survive from throughout his career. His 'The Unknown Lady in Red' of 1620 is an outstanding portrait that includes the very well observed gesture of the woman’s hand resting over her bump. Learn more about pregnancy in art in our exhibition #PortrayingPregnancy until 26 April. http://bit.ly/2FwERso Image thanks to Tate
This fine needlework panel of embracing female figures appears, from the fashion of the women’s headwear, to date from around the second decade of the 17th century. It's composed of glass beads, metal threads, floss and overspun silk threads, spangles and padding, using a range of stitches on plain-weave undyed linen. Its early history is unknown, but it is highly likely to represent the Visitation, making it another very rare post-Reformation English rendition of the subject. See this work in our exhibition #PortrayingPregnancy http://bit.ly/2FwERso Image thanks to the Ashmolean Museum.
#PortrayingPregnancy is now open! Until 26 April explore paintings, prints, photographs, objects and clothing from the fifteenth century to the present day, and discover the different ways in which pregnancy was, or was not, represented. http://bit.ly/2FwERso Images thanks to Ghislaine Howard, Finch & Co, Fleming-Wyfold Art Foundation, Tate.
This Friday sees the opening of #PortrayingPregnancy, an exhibition that brings together images of women – mainly British – who were depicted at a time when they were pregnant. http://bit.ly/2s4mE2i Images courtesy of Ashmolean Museum, Chantal Joffe, Yale British Art.
It's not long until our next exhibition opens. See #PortrayingPregnancy from 24 January and explore representations of the pregnant female body through portraits, over 500 years. http://bit.ly/2FwERso Image: G H Harlow, Sarah Siddons as Lady Macbeth courtesy of the Garrick Club, London
Get your glad rags on and come to the show. Join us for #TwoLastNights and explore the world of theatre and shows in eighteenth century Britain. http://ow.ly/GW1W50xtKTG
How well behaved are you at the theatre? Learn about the raucous activities of theatre-goers in the eighteenth century in our exhibition #TwoLastNights http://bit.ly/2K8A5mV
Just over a week until the opening of #TwoLastNights! Look forward to this exhibition about going to the theatre and shows in eighteenth century Britain. Opens Friday 20 September. http://bit.ly/2K8A5mV
It's not long until curtains up for our new exhibition, #TwoLastNights, opening 20 September, where you can delve into the mechanics of theatre and concert going in eighteenth and nineteenth century Britain. http://bit.ly/2K8A5mV
It's the last week of our exhibition #HogarthArtofNoise and display #ANewSongAnOldTune. Closing 1 September, it's your last chance to explore Hogarth’s innovative use of sound in his art as well as Nicola Bealing's contemporary humorous works.
Experience Nicola Bealing's vibrant and bawdy works in our display #ANewSongAnOldTune and see her humorous interpretations of 18th-century broadside ballads in both print and painting. http://bit.ly/2vnAPh9
From this Friday join us to see the display A New Song (To An Old Tune). Nicola Bealing's vibrant, bawdy, surreal and humorous contemporary works are inspired by the subjects and narratives found within 18th-century broadside ballads – descriptive or narrative songs on popular themes often sung or sold in the form of cheap sheet music in the streets. http://bit.ly/2vnAPh9
Closing on 5 May, our exhibition #BedroomsofLondon presents a new body of work by photographer Katie Wilson highlighting the damaging consequences for children arising from the shortage of social housing in London.
Don't miss #BedroomsofLondon where the damaging consequences for children arising from the shortage of social housing in London are laid bare in this photo-documentary exhibition with works from Katie Wison, created in partnership with London’s child poverty charity the Childhood Trust and GOOD Agency. http://bit.ly/2DhRw15
★★★★ - The Telegraph 'A fascinating exhibition' - Country Life Don't miss our landmark exhibition Ladies of Quality & Distinction, closing to the public on 20 January 2019
The Foundling Museum explores the history of the Foundling Hospital, the UK’s first children’s charity and first public art gallery. Through a dynamic programme of exhibitions and events, we celebrate the ways in which artists and children have inspired each other for over 275 years. Discover the intriguing story behind this important London institution and the children who grew up there, alongside original period interiors, poignant artefacts and inspiring art. Make the most of your visit by hiring a guide, picking up a unique artist-designed souvenir in our Shop, or attending one of our many events from free lunchtime concerts to curator-led tours.
To keep up to date with our latest exhibitions, events and more join our mailing list: https://goo.gl/AMBqsa
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