St Luke's Hospital
Download media
Object number2022.10
TitleSt Luke's Hospital
Creator Thomas Rowlandson (Artist), Augustus Pugin (Artist), John Stadler (Engraver), Ackermann & Co (Publisher)
DescriptionPrint, coloured aquatint, of St. Luke's Hospital. J.C. Stadler after Pugin. Published by Ackerman's Repository of Arts. Plate number 77. 1809.
The print depicts the women's ward of St Luke's Hospital and shows women experiencing acute mental health problems tearing their hair out, gesticulating and cowering. There is also a male figure standing, possibly the asylum overseer, instructing women in cleaning beds and mending blankets.
St Luke’s Hospital for Lunatics was founded in 1751 to relieve the pressure on London’s other major asylum, Bethlem Hospital. This image shows the second St Lukes, which was built in Old Street, London, in 1786. St Luke’s was one of the first medical teaching hospitals where people with mental health problems were actively studied.
This print was made from an original painting by Thomas Rowlandson (1756-1827), in association with French architect and draughtsman Augustine Pugin (1762-1832). It was engraved by John Stadler (active 1780-1812) and printed by Rudolph Ackermann (1764-1834), a German printer, as part of a series of collectible colour plates, depicting sites of London, called the 'Microcosm of London.'
Production date 1809 - 1809
Object namePrint
Object categoryArchitecture and landscape
TechniqueColoured