ARTWORKS

Little Children Brought to Christ

James Wills (c.1705–1776)

Foundling Museum

Little Children Brought to Christ

Image credit: Coram in the care of the Foundling Museum

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Notes

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As in the case of the other three biblical scenes displayed in the Court Room, Wills’ subject is an allusion to the benevolent work of the Foundling Hospital. It depicts an Apostle who is trying to turn away a bare-breasted mother and her child, but Christ urges him to be compassionate. James Wills was a history and portrait painter. He studied in Rome before returning to London where he became Director of the St Martin’s Lane Academy between 1743 and 1746. He donated this work to the Foundling Hospital in 1746 and was elected a Governor that year. He was ordained as Bishop of Lincoln in 1754 after which he served as Chaplain for the Society of Artists between 1768 and 1773.

Foundling Museum

London

Title

Little Children Brought to Christ

Date

1746

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 172.7 x W 209.5 cm

Accession number

FM62

Acquisition method

presented by the artist, 1746

Work type

Painting

Inscription description

Inscribed: Painted and Given by James Wills 1746

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Normally on display at

Foundling Museum

40 Brunswick Square, London, Greater London WC1N 1AZ England

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Artist or maker

James Wills

c.1705–1776

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