Our Art & Objects - Foundling Museum
Source: https://foundlingmuseum.org.uk/our-art-and-objects
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:17
Our Art & Objects - Foundling Museum
Our Collections help to tell the story of the Foundling Hospital and the children who lived there, as well as its vibrant community of artists, musicians and supporters.
The Foundling Collections include paintings, drawings, sculptures, furniture, clocks and more. Some of the most moving objects are the identifying tokens left by mothers with their babies in the Hospital’s earliest years. Leading 18th-century British artist William Hogarth was a strong supporter of the Foundling Hospital, and we hold major works of art created and donated by him and his fellows, on loan from Coram. Alongside are contemporary works by outstanding artists such as Michael Craig-Martin, Grayson Perry, Yinka Shonibare CBE, and Tracey Emin.
Another supporter of the Hospital was composer and philanthropist George Frideric Handel. Our
Gerald Coke Handel Collection
is a major research resource for study of the composer and his contemporaries. More than 14,000 items include manuscripts, printed music, books, artworks, sound recordings and ephemera.
What you'll see
Our objects help to tell our story, from historic crockery to contemporary sculpture. Find out what’s on
display at the Foundling Museum.
What You’ll See
Our
Collections
Foundling Collections
The Foundling Collections include paintings, drawings, sculptures, furniture, clocks and more. Some of the most moving objects are the identifying tokens left by mothers with their babies in the Hospital’s earliest years.
Foundling Collections
Gerald Coke Handel Collection
The Gerald Coke Handel Collection is a major research resource for study of the composer and philanthropist George Frideric Handel and his contemporaries.
Gerald Coke Handel Collection
Shared Stories, Shared Voices
When the Coronavirus pandemic forced the Foundling Museum to close in March 2020, we looked for new ways to make our Collections available online and to stay connected with communities at the heart of the Museum’s life.
A Mother Depositing Her Child at the Foundling Hospital in Paris
Chosen by: Bridget, a Museum volunteer
The Paris Hospital for foundlings allowed mothers to anonymously leave their infants at the entrance gate.
Font from the Foundling Hospital Chapel
Chosen by: Eliza, a Museum volunteer, & John, a former pupil of the Foundling Hospital
This font was used for christening babies inside the Foundling Hospital Chapel.
Token: Child’s ring
Chosen by: Kirsty, a Museum volunteer
"It wasn’t an easy decision..."
Token: Hazelnut, pierced for a string or cord
Chosen by: Jenny, a Museum volunteer
This seemingly humble natural token may have been the only item the mother had which she could spare.
Token: Thimble
Chosen by: Gillian, a Museum volunteer
It represents somebody’s life...
Bed from the Foundling Hospital
Chosen by: Ruth, a former pupil of the Foundling Hospital and Nia & Shereka, Tracing Our Tales graduates
Moses Brought Before Pharaoh's Daughter
In this painting, the biblical story of Moses serves as an allegory for the Foundling Hospital.
Beatrice Forbes
Chosen by: Anne, a Museum volunteer
This painting is the only formal portrait of a female Foundling Hospital Governor in the Museum's Collection.
Captain Thomas Coram & Duchess of Somerset
Chosen by: Eleanor, a former pupil of the Foundling Hospital & Robin, a Museum volunteer
Charity
This allegorical relief depicts some of the trade professions taught to Foundling Hospital children.
Christ’s Hospital
Chosen by: Sheila, a Museum volunteer
Girls at the Foundling Hospital, London
Chosen by: Sofia, a Tracing Our Tales graduate
Identity Disc for Robert Usherwood
Chosen by: Sofia, a Tracing Our Tales graduate
Peasant Boy
Chosen by: Clive, a former pupil of the Foundling Hospital
The Boys’ Band, London
Chosen by: Molly, a Museum volunteer
The Foundling Restored to its Mother
Chosen by: Sue & Lin, Museum volunteers
The Holy Bible
Chosen by: Henry, a former pupil of the Foundling Hospital
Token: Sir Isaac Newton halved medallion
Chosen by: Christine, a Museum volunteer
Younger girl’s Foundling Hospital uniform: dress, apron and tippet
Chosen by: Rohima, a Tracing Our Tales graduate
A Mother Depositing Her Child at the Foundling Hospital in Paris
Chosen by: Bridget, a Museum volunteer
The Paris Hospital for foundlings allowed mothers to anonymously leave their infants at the entrance gate.
Font from the Foundling Hospital Chapel
Chosen by: Eliza, a Museum volunteer, & John, a former pupil of the Foundling Hospital
This font was used for christening babies inside the Foundling Hospital Chapel.
Token: Child’s ring
Chosen by: Kirsty, a Museum volunteer
"It wasn’t an easy decision..."…
Token: Hazelnut, pierced for a string or cord
Chosen by: Jenny, a Museum volunteer
This seemingly humble natural token may have been the only item the mother had which she could spare.
Token: Thimble
Chosen by: Gillian, a Museum volunteer
It represents somebody’s life...
Bed from the Foundling Hospital
Chosen by: Ruth, a former pupil of the Foundling Hospital and Nia & Shereka, Tracing Our Tales graduates
Moses Brought Before Pharaoh's Daughter
In this painting, the biblical story of Moses serves as an allegory for the Foundling Hospital.
Beatrice Forbes
Chosen by: Anne, a Museum volunteer
This painting is the only formal portrait of a female Foundling Hospital Governor in the Museum's Collection.
Captain Thomas Coram & Duchess of Somerset
Chosen by: Eleanor, a former pupil of the Foundling Hospital & Robin, a Museum volunteer
Charity
This allegorical relief depicts some of the trade professions taught to Foundling Hospital children.
Christ’s Hospital
Chosen by: Sheila, a Museum volunteer
Girls at the Foundling Hospital, London
Chosen by: Sofia, a Tracing Our Tales graduate
Identity Disc for Robert Usherwood
Chosen by: Sofia, a Tracing Our Tales graduate
Peasant Boy
Chosen by: Clive, a former pupil of the Foundling Hospital
The Boys’ Band, London
Chosen by: Molly, a Museum volunteer
The Foundling Restored to its Mother
Chosen by: Sue & Lin, Museum volunteers
The Holy Bible
Chosen by: Henry, a former pupil of the Foundling Hospital
Token: Sir Isaac Newton halved medallion
Chosen by: Christine, a Museum volunteer
Younger girl’s Foundling Hospital uniform: dress, apron and tippet
Chosen by: Rohima, a Tracing Our Tales graduate
See more
Our Collections
Enjoy our current Curator's picks.
Dr Richard Mead
An expert on poisons, scurvy, smallpox and public health, Mead’s patients included Queen Anne, George II, Sir Isaac Newton and the French painter Antoine Watteau.
Find out more
John Caldicott
This portrait offers a glimpse of the remarkable spirit and vitality that continues to inspire young care-experienced people today.
Find out more
Token: Fish-shaped gambling token
Gambling for fish.
Find out more
Trumpet Boy
Trumpet Boy by Yinka Shonibare CBE, RA speaks to the role that music played at the Hospital.
Find out more
Earliest manuscript of Handel’s opera Teseo
This manuscript is almost certainly the copy used by Samuel Arnold to produce the first published edition of the work.
Find out more
Girls in the Chapel
Many visitors to the Museum love this painting of girls at prayer in the Hospital Chapel.
Find out more
Research
Find resources for your own research and information about our current research projects
Research
Stay connected
Subscribe to our newsletter
Mailchimp Email Newsletter Sign Up
Visit Us
What’s On
Our Story
Our Art & Objects
Learning & Participation
Support Us
Venue Hire
Shop
Subscribe to our newsletter
What's on today
Open 10am — 5pm
Exhibitions & Displays
A Grand Chorus: The Power of Music
2 Oct 2025 – 31 May 2026
Exhibitions & Displays
The Foundling Hospital Boys’ Band
6 Jan – 31 May 2026
Concerts
Handel’s Heroines: Lucy Crowe OBE, Bridget Cunningham & London Early Opera
23 Apr 2026
Book your tickets
Adult ticket £14.50 (£13.50 online), reduced price and free tickets available.
Book tickets
Enjoy free entry for
a
year with your ticket
.
Save £1 by booking online.
Please note: some events require separate tickets. Check the event page for details.
Our Collections help to tell the story of the Foundling Hospital and the children who lived there, as well as its vibrant community of artists, musicians and supporters.
The Foundling Collections include paintings, drawings, sculptures, furniture, clocks and more. Some of the most moving objects are the identifying tokens left by mothers with their babies in the Hospital’s earliest years. Leading 18th-century British artist William Hogarth was a strong supporter of the Foundling Hospital, and we hold major works of art created and donated by him and his fellows, on loan from Coram. Alongside are contemporary works by outstanding artists such as Michael Craig-Martin, Grayson Perry, Yinka Shonibare CBE, and Tracey Emin.
Another supporter of the Hospital was composer and philanthropist George Frideric Handel. Our
Gerald Coke Handel Collection
is a major research resource for study of the composer and his contemporaries. More than 14,000 items include manuscripts, printed music, books, artworks, sound recordings and ephemera.
What you'll see
Our objects help to tell our story, from historic crockery to contemporary sculpture. Find out what’s on
display at the Foundling Museum.
What You’ll See
Our
Collections
Foundling Collections
The Foundling Collections include paintings, drawings, sculptures, furniture, clocks and more. Some of the most moving objects are the identifying tokens left by mothers with their babies in the Hospital’s earliest years.
Foundling Collections
Gerald Coke Handel Collection
The Gerald Coke Handel Collection is a major research resource for study of the composer and philanthropist George Frideric Handel and his contemporaries.
Gerald Coke Handel Collection
Shared Stories, Shared Voices
When the Coronavirus pandemic forced the Foundling Museum to close in March 2020, we looked for new ways to make our Collections available online and to stay connected with communities at the heart of the Museum’s life.
A Mother Depositing Her Child at the Foundling Hospital in Paris
Chosen by: Bridget, a Museum volunteer
The Paris Hospital for foundlings allowed mothers to anonymously leave their infants at the entrance gate.
Font from the Foundling Hospital Chapel
Chosen by: Eliza, a Museum volunteer, & John, a former pupil of the Foundling Hospital
This font was used for christening babies inside the Foundling Hospital Chapel.
Token: Child’s ring
Chosen by: Kirsty, a Museum volunteer
"It wasn’t an easy decision..."
Token: Hazelnut, pierced for a string or cord
Chosen by: Jenny, a Museum volunteer
This seemingly humble natural token may have been the only item the mother had which she could spare.
Token: Thimble
Chosen by: Gillian, a Museum volunteer
It represents somebody’s life...
Bed from the Foundling Hospital
Chosen by: Ruth, a former pupil of the Foundling Hospital and Nia & Shereka, Tracing Our Tales graduates
Moses Brought Before Pharaoh's Daughter
In this painting, the biblical story of Moses serves as an allegory for the Foundling Hospital.
Beatrice Forbes
Chosen by: Anne, a Museum volunteer
This painting is the only formal portrait of a female Foundling Hospital Governor in the Museum's Collection.
Captain Thomas Coram & Duchess of Somerset
Chosen by: Eleanor, a former pupil of the Foundling Hospital & Robin, a Museum volunteer
Charity
This allegorical relief depicts some of the trade professions taught to Foundling Hospital children.
Christ’s Hospital
Chosen by: Sheila, a Museum volunteer
Girls at the Foundling Hospital, London
Chosen by: Sofia, a Tracing Our Tales graduate
Identity Disc for Robert Usherwood
Chosen by: Sofia, a Tracing Our Tales graduate
Peasant Boy
Chosen by: Clive, a former pupil of the Foundling Hospital
The Boys’ Band, London
Chosen by: Molly, a Museum volunteer
The Foundling Restored to its Mother
Chosen by: Sue & Lin, Museum volunteers
The Holy Bible
Chosen by: Henry, a former pupil of the Foundling Hospital
Token: Sir Isaac Newton halved medallion
Chosen by: Christine, a Museum volunteer
Younger girl’s Foundling Hospital uniform: dress, apron and tippet
Chosen by: Rohima, a Tracing Our Tales graduate
A Mother Depositing Her Child at the Foundling Hospital in Paris
Chosen by: Bridget, a Museum volunteer
The Paris Hospital for foundlings allowed mothers to anonymously leave their infants at the entrance gate.
Font from the Foundling Hospital Chapel
Chosen by: Eliza, a Museum volunteer, & John, a former pupil of the Foundling Hospital
This font was used for christening babies inside the Foundling Hospital Chapel.
Token: Child’s ring
Chosen by: Kirsty, a Museum volunteer
"It wasn’t an easy decision..."…
Token: Hazelnut, pierced for a string or cord
Chosen by: Jenny, a Museum volunteer
This seemingly humble natural token may have been the only item the mother had which she could spare.
Token: Thimble
Chosen by: Gillian, a Museum volunteer
It represents somebody’s life...
Bed from the Foundling Hospital
Chosen by: Ruth, a former pupil of the Foundling Hospital and Nia & Shereka, Tracing Our Tales graduates
Moses Brought Before Pharaoh's Daughter
In this painting, the biblical story of Moses serves as an allegory for the Foundling Hospital.
Beatrice Forbes
Chosen by: Anne, a Museum volunteer
This painting is the only formal portrait of a female Foundling Hospital Governor in the Museum's Collection.
Captain Thomas Coram & Duchess of Somerset
Chosen by: Eleanor, a former pupil of the Foundling Hospital & Robin, a Museum volunteer
Charity
This allegorical relief depicts some of the trade professions taught to Foundling Hospital children.
Christ’s Hospital
Chosen by: Sheila, a Museum volunteer
Girls at the Foundling Hospital, London
Chosen by: Sofia, a Tracing Our Tales graduate
Identity Disc for Robert Usherwood
Chosen by: Sofia, a Tracing Our Tales graduate
Peasant Boy
Chosen by: Clive, a former pupil of the Foundling Hospital
The Boys’ Band, London
Chosen by: Molly, a Museum volunteer
The Foundling Restored to its Mother
Chosen by: Sue & Lin, Museum volunteers
The Holy Bible
Chosen by: Henry, a former pupil of the Foundling Hospital
Token: Sir Isaac Newton halved medallion
Chosen by: Christine, a Museum volunteer
Younger girl’s Foundling Hospital uniform: dress, apron and tippet
Chosen by: Rohima, a Tracing Our Tales graduate
See more
Our Collections
Enjoy our current Curator's picks.
Dr Richard Mead
An expert on poisons, scurvy, smallpox and public health, Mead’s patients included Queen Anne, George II, Sir Isaac Newton and the French painter Antoine Watteau.
Find out more
John Caldicott
This portrait offers a glimpse of the remarkable spirit and vitality that continues to inspire young care-experienced people today.
Find out more
Token: Fish-shaped gambling token
Gambling for fish.
Find out more
Trumpet Boy
Trumpet Boy by Yinka Shonibare CBE, RA speaks to the role that music played at the Hospital.
Find out more
Earliest manuscript of Handel’s opera Teseo
This manuscript is almost certainly the copy used by Samuel Arnold to produce the first published edition of the work.
Find out more
Girls in the Chapel
Many visitors to the Museum love this painting of girls at prayer in the Hospital Chapel.
Find out more
Research
Find resources for your own research and information about our current research projects
Research
Stay connected
Subscribe to our newsletter
Mailchimp Email Newsletter Sign Up
Visit Us
What’s On
Our Story
Our Art & Objects
Learning & Participation
Support Us
Venue Hire
Shop
Subscribe to our newsletter
What's on today
Open 10am — 5pm
Exhibitions & Displays
A Grand Chorus: The Power of Music
2 Oct 2025 – 31 May 2026
Exhibitions & Displays
The Foundling Hospital Boys’ Band
6 Jan – 31 May 2026
Concerts
Handel’s Heroines: Lucy Crowe OBE, Bridget Cunningham & London Early Opera
23 Apr 2026
Book your tickets
Adult ticket £14.50 (£13.50 online), reduced price and free tickets available.
Book tickets
Enjoy free entry for
a
year with your ticket
.
Save £1 by booking online.
Please note: some events require separate tickets. Check the event page for details.