Hogarth collection at London hospital to be restored

Two paintings by William Hogarth that are displayed on the staircase at Britain’s oldest hospital are being restored with the help of a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Hogarth, an artist, critic and satirist created two paintings inspired by the bible in the 1730s which are currently on the walls at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, which is known locally as Barts. The paintings feature 7ft high figures, some of which were drawn from real life and will be restored as part of a project to conserve and rejuvenated the art collections and historic buildings of the hospital. One of the hospital’s spaces that is included is the north wing, which is Grade 1 listed.

Hogarth was born in 1697 in Bartholomew Close, which is near the hospital in East London. He offered his services to decorate the hospital’s staircase for free after discovering that an Italian painter had been invited to do the honours. He produced pieces known as the Pool of Bethesda and the Good Samaritan, which depict people afflicted with illness and disease and conditions such as gout and jaundice were incorporated into the painting. As well as the paintings being restored, St Bart’s staircase will also undergo extensive work to bring it back to its former glory.

Speaking to reporters, Barts’ Heritage charity’s Chief Executive, said: “The Hogarth stair is a genuine hidden treasure and is just one element of our ambitious project, combining the much needed restoration of the one of the most important historic hospital buildings in the UK with a pioneering heritage and health programme.”

The project is being funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, their Chief Executive, Eilish McGuinness said the paintings were a treasure.

St Bartholomew Hospital is the oldest hospital in Britain, having dispensed free healthcare on the same site for just under 900 years.