At Barts’ Great Hall
Yesterday’s clear January sunshine offered the ideal light for a visit to the Great Hall at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in Smithfield. This North Wing was the first part rebuilt by James Gibbs in his modernisation of the medieval hospital between 1738 and 1769 which delivered the elegantly-proportioned quadrangle at the heart of the complex. Here in the Great Hall three thousand names are recorded of the benefactors who made this possible.
Now an independent charity, Barts Heritage, has been formed to care for the Great Hall and the Hogarth Staircase, and renovate them in time for the nine hundredth anniversary of the hospital in 2023. I was privileged to have these magnificent airy chambers to myself yesterday and record the charismatic patina in advance of their forthcoming restoration.
The staircase painted with murals by William Hogarth
John Soane is recorded among the three thousand names of benefactors
Portrait of St Bartholomew over the fireplace
Looking out onto James Gibbs’ courtyard
Napkins and tablecloths for fancy dinners
The North Wing at St Bartholomew’s Hospital
Remember the Poor’s Box
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That ceiling…oh my word! How beautiful is that. A photographic element that the GA uses that I love to bits is the views out of the windows (in this case looking out at James Gibbs courtyard) .Beautifully atmospheric.
Magnificent! And how wonderful that so much of the church built by the monk Rahere 900 years ago still stands just a few yards’ away. How did both Adolf and the Planners miss it?
Fifty-two pounds, ten shillings — “Fifty pounds, Sir, to the hospital — and make them guineas!”
I worked at Bart’s in the early 1970s and I find this blog so interesting…..especially to see they will be celebrating the 900th anniversary of the hospital. Whilst I worked there the hospital celebrated the 850th anniversary and we had a Gala Ball amongst the meat hooks of Smithfield Meat Market dancing to Syd Lawrence Orchestra (probably long gone now) and George Melly. I’m glad the Great Hall has been saved amidst the refurbishment going on at the hospital.
Brings back good memories and, phew, has fifty years nearly passed me by?!
Recommended reading: “The Tree of Justice” from “Rewards & Fairies” by Kipling.
Link here
Wow! what a place – and great photos…
So glad it has survived and is going to be cared for and renovated (and not facaded!!)
Thank you for these photographs GA, Barts Hospital has a place in my heart.
Bittersweet memories of sitting by the fountain in the beautiful James Gibbs’ courtyard with my brother during his illness and treatment there.
That ceiling is So Amazingly Beautiful!! ????????
Woweeee! I’ve been in and out of Gibbs’ Square and the Great Hall more days than not for the last 50+ years, and these phenomenal images throw fresh light and excitement. Thank you for doing this ……. and bring it on for restoration and celebration in 2023.
This is a magnificent hall. We are lucky to have it still standing.
I like the “A Patient in Darkers Ward” on the Benefactions 1806 board.
Some interesting names among the donors – Soane and Angerstein, to say nothing of ‘A patient in Darker’s Ward’ who contributed £5.
Stunning, I bet the wards were not that lovely!
Great pictures GA, remember driving yes driving and parking through the gates in North Wing, to visit my Father whose bed was bought outside so he could see his last English Summer and what a summer it was massive heat wave,pubs even run out of beer 1976 he could never get over it being a Publican from East London. Lovely place that by the fountains spent many days sitting there with him and other patients nearing there end in there Ward Beds, not very PC now we bet. Stay safe London.