The Foundling Hospital

French-born Pre-Raphaelite sister Sophie Anderson (1823-1903) created a successful career in Britain as an artist long before feminists started moaning that male chauvinists denied women artistic careers. Her charming Foundling Girls in their School Dresses at prayer in the Chapel is one of my favourites. It isn't part of the following exhibition, but forms a perfect introduction to it. Next year, the museum of the Foundling Hospital - Britain's original home for abandoned children and London's first ever public art gallery - marks the 250th anniversary of Handel’s death (14 April 1759) with Handel the Philanthropist, from 16 January to 28 June 2009. Handel was one of the hospital's founding patrons. To learn more, click the title link. To view an online gallery of Sophie Anderson's paintings CLICK.