Abandoned Child Collection

Illustration of an incident during the Peninsular Campaign demonstrating the humanity of French soldiers
543813 Illustration of an incident during the Peninsular Campaign demonstrating the humanity of French soldiers. 19th century (popular hand-coloured woodcut); (add.info)

New York Foundling Hospital - Sister Anna Michella with baby and cradle, 1917-26 (b/w photo)
8855377 New York Foundling Hospital - Sister Anna Michella with baby and cradle, 1917-26 (b/w photo) by American Photographer, (20th century); Collection of the New-York Historical Society

New York Foundling Hospital nuns with children (b/w photo)
8855380 New York Foundling Hospital nuns with children (b/w photo) by American Photographer, (20th century); Collection of the New-York Historical Society, USA; © New-York Historical Society

New York Foundling Hospital "Orphan train" group, c.1923 (b/w photo)
8855381 New York Foundling Hospital "Orphan train" group, c.1923 (b/w photo) by American Photographer, (20th century); Collection of the New-York Historical Society

New York Foundling Hospital nurses with children (b/w photo)
8855379 New York Foundling Hospital nurses with children (b/w photo) by American Photographer, (20th century); Collection of the New-York Historical Society, USA; © New-York Historical Society

The Foundling (engraving)
8659050 The Foundling (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Foundling. Illustration for The Weekly Welcome (1876).); © Look and Learn

The finding of Moses, 1721-1727, (oil on canvas)
7130052 The finding of Moses, 1721-1727, (oil on canvas); Museo Nazionale del Palazzo di Venezia, Rome, Italy; (add.info.: The finding of Moses, 1721-1727, Giuseppe Maria Crespi, oil on canvas)

A Good Deed, from Les Modes Parisiennes, c.1860 (coloured engraving)
XIR220336 A Good Deed, from Les Modes Parisiennes, c.1860 (coloured engraving) by Compte-Calix, Francois Claudius (1813-80); Musee de la Ville de Paris, Musee Carnavalet, Paris

Finding of Moses, 1580 (oil on canvas)
7292645 Finding of Moses, 1580 (oil on canvas) by Veronese, (Caliari, Paolo) (1528-88); Prado, Madrid, Spain; (add.info.: by Paolo Caliari, known as Veronese, 1580, oil painting on canvas)

Finding of Moses, 1580 (oil on canvas)
7292588 Finding of Moses, 1580 (oil on canvas) by Veronese, (Caliari, Paolo) (1528-88); Prado, Madrid, Spain; (add.info.: by Paolo Caliari, known as Veronese, 1580, oil painting on canvas)

Illustration for Tom Jones by Henry Fielding (engraving)
7183687 Illustration for Tom Jones by Henry Fielding (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: " At last a violent fall, so weakened Thwackum)

J aime le vin, je fait l amour (Vieille Ariette): Guilty Childhood, back cover of issue 389 of L Assiette au Beurre
7268493 J aime le vin, je fait l amour (Vieille Ariette): Guilty Childhood, back cover of issue 389 of L Assiette au Beurre, September 1908 by Naudin

Finding of Moses with an Elegant Couple, Servant and Hunter (oil on wood)
7088865 Finding of Moses with an Elegant Couple, Servant and Hunter (oil on wood) by Mander, Karel van (1548-1606) (circle of); 61x95 cm; Private Collection

Peter the Wild Boy, famous German feral child, 18th century. 1869 (lithograph)
7232946 Peter the Wild Boy, famous German feral child, 18th century. 1869 (lithograph) by Cooper, Robert (fl.1800-36); Private Collection; (add.info.: Peter the Wild Boy, famous German feral child)

Banished, 1865
7215877 Banished, 1865 by Sundt-Hansen, Carl (1841-1907); 50x42 cm; Private Collection; Photo © O. Vaering

Histoire de l hopital : "Vue de l orphelinat de santa Maria della scala a Sienne"le mariage d une jeune
AIS5386328 Histoire de l hopital : " Vue de l orphelinat de santa Maria della scala a Sienne" le mariage d une jeune orpheline. Detail representant l abandon de l orpheline a sa naissance

Illustration for Tom Jones by Henry Fielding (engraving)
7183676 Illustration for Tom Jones by Henry Fielding (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Illustration for Tom Jones by Henry Fielding (engraving)
7183688 Illustration for Tom Jones by Henry Fielding (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Rescue (oil on canvas)
7085119 The Rescue (oil on canvas) by Hughes, Arthur (1832-1915); 110x53 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: left panel of a diptych); English, out of copyright

Broadsheet, relating, horrible discovery, woman beaten, death, cave, town, Guadalupe
Broadsheet relating to the horrible discovery of a woman beaten to death in a cave in the town of Guadalupe and an abandoned child, Jose Guadalupe Posada (Mexican, 1851-1913), 1900

Foundling tower, 19th century
Foundling tower, 19th-century artwork. This tower of abandonment, established in France 1730, is intended for mothers unable to support their infant children to leave them to be brought up by others

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"Lost and Found: The Tale of an Abandoned Child" In the depths of history, a timeless story unfolds. Like the biblical Finding of Moses, depicted in a mesmerizing oil painting from 1580, this abandoned child's journey began with uncertainty and hope. In another illustration for Tom Jones by Henry Fielding, engraved delicately on paper, we catch a glimpse of the child's resilience amidst adversity. The echoes of despair resonate through time as we encounter plate 11 of The Disasters of War series from 1810-14. An etching that portrays the abandonment suffered by innocent souls during times of conflict. It serves as a haunting reminder that even in our darkest moments, children are not spared from the cruelties inflicted upon them. A poignant scene captured on the back cover of L'Assiette au Beurre magazine in September 1908 reveals "Guilty Childhood. " Titled J'aime le vin, je fais l'amour (Vieille Ariette), it exposes society's neglect towards those who have been forsaken at such tender ages. Returning to Fielding's masterpiece once more, his engravings illustrate both heartbreak and redemption within their intricate lines. They mirror the Finding of Moses with an Elegant Couple, Servant and Hunter painted on wood - reminding us that sometimes unexpected allies emerge to rescue these abandoned souls. Amongst these historical narratives lies Peter the Wild Boy – a famous German feral child whose lithograph from 1869 captures his untamed spirit while highlighting society's struggle to comprehend his existence. Banished but never forgotten is he who defied societal norms. As we delve further into history’s archives, Histoire de l'Hopital presents us with "Vue de l'orphelinat de Santa Maria della Scala à Sienne, " revealing an orphanage where young lives were shaped by abandonment since birth.