Gezicht op St Thomas' Hospital, te Londen 1871 - 1885

This engraving depicts the New St. Thomas' Hospital in London, made in 1871 by an anonymous artist. The image commemorates its opening by Queen Victoria, highlighting the institution's significance within the social fabric of Victorian England. The architecture of the hospital itself speaks volumes. It is a monument to civic progress and modern medicine. St. Thomas' was rebuilt on this Thames-side location following disruption caused by railway construction. The image conveys a sense of order and care, a visual promise of health and well-being provided under the gaze of the British monarchy. To truly understand this image, one must delve into the archives: hospital records, architectural plans, newspaper accounts of the opening ceremony. These historical resources allow us to understand the social values and institutional structures that shaped its creation and reception. The image reminds us that art is always embedded in a specific time and place, reflecting the aspirations and anxieties of its society.