The Pool of Bethesda

William Hogarth (1697 - 1764)

RA Collection: Art

Scene illustrating John 5:2-8, in which Christ address the lame man 'wilt thou be made whole'. Surrounding the central figures are others suffering from various afflictions, depicted in a startlingly realistic way.



Engraving after the 1736 painting by William Hogarth, which he presented to St Bartholomew's Hospital upon completion. The painting remains in the same position in the hospital as it did when first installed there. The parallels between the scene depicted here and the work of the hospital are evident. The print was engraved by S.F. Ravenet, one of Hogarth's preferred engravers, and his son-in-law Victor-Marie Picot. A cartouche from the life of Rahere )a sick man being brought to hospital) is in the lower margin.