Bethlem Royal Hospital Collection

A Rakes Progress, 1763; plate VIII of VIII. Artist: William Hogarth
A Rakes Progress, 1763; plate VIII of VIII. True to his nature Tom Rakewell has run through a vast fortune through indulgence in all the luxuries of modern living

View of Bethlem Royal Hospital in London, 1747. Creator: Thomas Bowles
View of Bethlem Royal Hospital in London, 1747. L'Hospital de Fou, (mad hospital). Founded in 1247, Bethlem, or Bedlam

Treatment of the Insane, 1733, (1925). Creator: William Hogarth
Treatment of the Insane, 1733, (1925). " Bedlam" Bedlam from A Rakes Progress 1733 - engraving by William Hogarth (1697-1764)

Old Sign of the Dog and Duck. (c1878). Creator: Unknown
Old Sign of the Dog and Duck. (c1878). The Dog and Duck tavern stood on the site of what later became the Bethlem Royal Hospital in Southwark, south London

Bethlehem Hospital, (c1878). Creator: Unknown
Bethlehem Hospital, (c1878). View of the Bethlem Royal Hospital, a psychiatric hospital in London dating back to the 13th century

A Rakes Progress - 8: The Mad House, 1733. Artist: William Hogarth
A Rakes Progress - 8: The Mad House, 1733. True to his nature Tom Rakewell has run through a vast fortune through indulgence in all the luxuries of modern living

Bethlem psychiatric hospital or Bedlam in 1816, 1817 (engraving)
5912711 Bethlem psychiatric hospital or Bedlam in 1816, 1817 (engraving) by British School, (19th century); (add.info.: Bethlem Royal Hospital or Bedlam Hospital in St)

The Royal Hospital of Bethlehem, the Gallery for Women (engraving)
1098651 The Royal Hospital of Bethlehem, the Gallery for Women (engraving) by Vizetelly, Frank (1830-83); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Royal Hospital of Bethlehem, the Gallery for Women)

A Rakes Progress, Plate 8, June 25, 1735. Creator: William Hogarth
A Rakes Progress, Plate 8, June 25, 1735

A Rakes Progress, Plate 8, ca. 1800. Creator: Dent
A Rakes Progress, Plate 8, ca. 1800

Portrait of Mr. George Bailey, 1855. Creator: Richard Dadd
Portrait of Mr. George Bailey, 1855. George Bailey, worked at Bethlem hospital where Dadd was confined

Front View of Bethlehem Hospital, c1876. Creator: Unknown
Front View of Bethlehem Hospital, c1876. Also known as Bedlam, a psychiatric hospital in London founded in 1247 during the reign of Henry III

A Ward in Bethlehem Hospital, (c1878). Creator: Unknown
A Ward in Bethlehem Hospital, (c1878). Interior of the Bethlem Royal Hospital, a psychiatric hospital in London dating back to the 13th century

Old Bethlehem Hospital, Moorfields about 1750, (c1872). Creator: Unknown
Old Bethlehem Hospital, Moorfields about 1750, (c1872). View of the Bethlem Royal Hospital, a psychiatric hospital in London dating back to the 13th century

View of the chapel from the altar, Bethlem Royal Hospital, London, 1926. This hospital is the oldest institution for the care and confinement of the mentally ill in England

Theatre, Bethlem Royal Hospital, London, 1926. This hospital is the oldest institution for the care and confinement of the mentally ill in England, and one of the oldest in Europe

First floor corridor, Bethlem Royal Hospital, London, 1926. This hospital is the oldest institution for the care and confinement of the mentally ill in England, and one of the oldest in Europe

The main front of Bethlem Royal Hospital, London, 1926. This hospital is the oldest institution for the care and confinement of the mentally ill in England, and one of the oldest in Europe

View of the new Bethlem Hospital, St Georges Field, Southwark, London, 1814. Artist
View of the new Bethlem Hospital, St Georges Field, Southwark, London, 1814. The hospital was moved to this site c1815, after the old building was found to be unsound

View of the new Bethlem Hospital, Southwark, London, c1825. The hospital was moved to this site c1815, after the old building was found to be unsound

South-west view of Old Bethlehem Hospital, Moorfields and London Wall, City of London, 1814

Sculptures outside the entrance to Old Bethlehem Hospital, Moorfields, City of London, 1783. View of the figure sculptures from the pediment of the gate to Old Bethlehem Hospital

Old Bethlehem Hospital, Moorfields, City of London, 1850

Exterior view of Old Bethlehem Hospital, Moorfields, City of London, 1811. Artist
Exterior view of Old Bethlehem Hospital, Moorfields, City of London, 1811

View of parts of London Wall and Old Bethlehem Hospital (Bedlam), City of London, 1814

Cats and Dogs Meat!, Cries of London, 1804
Cats and Dogs Meat!. A cats and dogs meat seller, with a barrow of meat and a knife, standing outside Old Bethlem Hospital. From Cries of London, 1804

Bridewell Hall, London, 1850
Interior view of Bridewell Hall, London, 1850, during the annual dinner of the Governors of Bridewell and Bethlem Hospitals

Old Bethlehem Hospital, London, c1714
View of Old Bethlehem Hospital, Moorfields, London, c1714, with title on a ribbon in the sky

Old Bethlehem Hospital, London, c1700
View of Old Bethlehem Hospital, Moorfields, London, c1700

Cats and Dogs Meat!, Bethlem Hospital, London, 1805. A copper plate representing the itinerant traders of London, from Modern London; Being the History and Present State of the British Metropolis

A Rakes Progress, Plate 8, [June 25, 1735] reissued 1763. Creator: William Hogarth
A Rakes Progress, Plate 8, [June 25, 1735] reissued 1763

Tom O Bedlam (woodcut)
XJF465178 Tom O Bedlam (woodcut) by English School, (17th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Tom O Bedlam was a term used in Early Modern English to describe beggars or vagrants who had or)

Bethlem Royal Hospital, Southwark, London
Bethlem Royal Hospital, London, England, 19th century artwork. Also known as Bedlam, this institution was the first in the world to specialise in the treatment of the mentally ill

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"Unveiling the Dark History: Bethlem Royal Hospital" Step into the haunting past as we explore the infamous Bethlem Royal Hospital, a place steeped in tales of madness and despair. Dating back to the 18th century, this institution has witnessed countless stories that have left an indelible mark on history. One such tale is depicted in William Hogarth's renowned series "A Rake's Progress. " Plate VIII showcases the protagonist's descent into madness within these very walls. The artist masterfully captures the chaos and torment that consumed those unfortunate souls confined here. The Old Sign of the Dog and Duck stands as a reminder of how this hospital was once known by its notorious nickname - Bedlam. Its dark reputation attracted attention from all walks of life, including Margaret Nicholson, who infamously attempted to assassinate King George III. Engravings immortalize her audacious act and serve as chilling reminders of desperation gone awry. Intriguingly, portraits like that of Mr. George Bailey offer glimpses into individual lives affected by mental illness during their time at Bethlem Royal Hospital. Richard Dadd's portrait further highlights both artistic talent and psychological turmoil intertwined within these walls. Engravings from 1816-1817 depict Bethlehem Hospital's Gallery for Women – a space where female patients were housed separately. These images provide insight into gender-specific treatment methods prevalent during that era. Front View of Bethlehem Hospital in 1876 offers a glimpse into its architectural grandeur while also raising questions about patient care practices during this period. William Hogarth returns with his powerful depiction titled "Treatment of the Insane, " reminding us not only of his artistic prowess but also shedding light on prevailing attitudes towards mental health in society at large. Bethlem Royal Hospital holds within its walls centuries worth of stories – some tragic, others inspiring – all contributing to our understanding of mental health throughout history.