Old Bethlehem 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

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

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"Exploring the Dark History of Old Bethlehem Hospital: A Glimpse into Madness and Despair" Step back in time to the 18th century with William Hogarth's iconic series, "A Rake's Progress. " Plate VIII takes us on a haunting journey through the walls of Old Bethlehem Hospital, revealing a world consumed by madness. In this gripping scene, we witness the tormented souls confined within its grim confines. The artist masterfully captures their anguish and despair as they are subjected to cruel treatments for their mental afflictions. Hogarth's keen eye exposes the stark reality of life inside these haunted halls. The old sign of the Dog and Duck stands nearby, serving as a reminder that even in moments of fleeting respite, darkness looms just around the corner. This symbolizes how society often turned a blind eye to those suffering from mental illness during this era. One cannot help but be captivated by George Bailey's portrait from 1855. His troubled expression reflects both his own personal demons and those plaguing countless others who found themselves trapped within these oppressive walls. As we explore further, an eerie front view reveals Bethlehem Hospital standing tall amidst Moorfields circa 1750. Its imposing presence serves as a chilling testament to centuries filled with anguish and desperation. Inside one ward lies chaos; patients lost in their delusions while unknown attendants attempt to maintain order amidst madness, and is here that we truly comprehend the depth of suffering endured by those deemed insane during this period. Yet despite its dark history, there is hope within these walls too. Viewed from the chapel altar in 1926, Bethlem Royal Hospital emerges as a beacon of light amid shadows—a place where solace can be found for troubled minds seeking redemption. Old Bethlehem Hospital holds stories untold—tales etched into its very foundations that remind us of humanity's struggle with mental health throughout history.