Study for Foundling Hospital, the Chapel, from Microcosm of London c. 1808

Augustus Charles Pugin created this graphite drawing, "Study for Foundling Hospital, the Chapel, from Microcosm of London," offering us a glimpse into a specific social institution of its time. This drawing gives us a look inside the Foundling Hospital Chapel, a space that reflects the complexities of London's social fabric. The chapel was part of a larger institution dedicated to the care of abandoned children, funded by charitable donations. Pugin's study captures the architecture of the chapel, but also hints at the social dynamics at play. Made in the 19th century, this drawing can tell us a lot about the role of charity, religion, and social welfare in London. The Foundling Hospital itself was a powerful institution, reflecting both philanthropic ideals and the harsh realities of poverty and abandonment in the city. If we look more closely, we can investigate the archives of the Foundling Hospital, the sermons preached in the chapel, and the social commentary of the time. Only then can we understand the drawing, as a window into a complex historical landscape.