Quick Links
- See highlights from the art collection on Art UK
- Source images of some works of art through Bridgeman Images, for others send us an enquiry
- Source images of some items from the Gerald Coke Handel Collection through Bridgeman Images, for others email handel@foundlingmuseum.org.uk
Going Deeper
A bibliography is available, guiding readers to materials relating to the Foundling Hospital, its supporters and the eighteenth century. Access the bibliography here.
The Foundling Hospital Research Forum is open to all those studying the Foundling Hospital Collection and archives in depth, with an aim to facilitate the sharing of knowledge. Members are academics, independent researchers, authors and historians and include staff from Coram, the Foundling Museum and London Metropolitan Archives. The group meets twice annually. If you are interested in finding out more or joining the group email exhibitions@foundlingmuseum.org.uk.
Information is available to assist people researching former pupils of the Foundling Hospital – please see the Tracing a Foundling Hospital Pupil webpage for more details. Records more than 110 years old can be found at the London Metropolitan Archives. For enquiries about children admitted less than 110 years ago, please contact Coram.
The Museum runs symposiums and study days from time to time exploring aspects of the Collections and our exhibitions in more depth. Check our events for more information or sign up for our newsletter.
The Gerald Coke Handel Collection staff organise an annual study day on music in 18th-century Britain, and publish an annual Handbook for Studies in 18th-century English Music, and other occasional publications. As well as their online catalogue, other useful sites for Handel research are:
Loans
The Foundling Museum welcomes requests to borrow items from its Collections from both UK institutions and those overseas.
It may be helpful to contact us in advance to discuss the potential loan, and enquiries should be directed to exhibitions@foundlingmuseum.org.uk for Foundling Hospital related items, or Katharine Hogg, Librarian at handel@foundlingmuseum.org.uk for Gerald Coke Handel Collection material.
Formal requests should be made in writing with a minimum of six months’ notice to: The Director, Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AZ, with a copy emailed to Alison Duke, Collections Manager at exhibitions@foundlingmuseum.org.uk.
Loan requests are considered by the curatorial staff and the Director prior to a decision by the Museum’s Board of Trustees. In addition, some loans may require further approval from Coram (the children’s charity which began in 1739 as the Foundling Hospital).
Please include relevant information about your exhibition and some context to why you are requesting the particular loan from our collections. It is helpful to include the UKRG Facilities and Security reports, as well as UKRG Display Case Supplement (if relevant), along with any other information you think will be useful. This will assist in a quicker assessment of whether your venue is suitable for the loan.
The Foundling Museum does not generally charge a loan fee but does operate a full cost recovery policy for any direct costs associated with a loan such as conservation, framing etc. The Museum may send a courier to accompany the objects while in transit, and for installation and de-installation, and will decide this on a case-by-case basis. The borrower would also be expected to cover all insurance, transport and courier costs.