Britains First Art Gallery

Dates: 1.1.2009 to 31.12.2009. William Hogarth (1697-1764), one of the original Governors of the Foundling Hospital, encouraged leading artists of the day to donate works to the childrens home, with the aim of attracting wealthy potential benefactors. In doing so, he created Britains first public exhibition space, which became a centre of artistic experimentation and led to the formation of the Royal Academy of Arts in 1768. Today the collection contains works by Hogarth, Reynolds, Gainsborough, Wilson, Hayman, Highmore, Roubiliac and Rysbrack, displayed in fully restored interiors as they would have been seen by visitors to the original Hospital in the 1700s.

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http://london.ukfunlife.com/index.php?boardname=evento&numevento=5168450