The Fallen Woman

This major exhibition focuses on the myth and reality of the ‘fallen woman’ in Victorian Britain. In an age when sexual innocence was highly valued and sex for a respectable woman was deemed appropriate only within marriage, the loss of chastity for an unwed woman had multiple repercussions. The figure of the ‘fallen’ woman was popularly portrayed in art, literature and the media as Victorian moralists warned against the consequences of losing one’s virtue. This exhibition draws together the work of artists including Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Richard Redgrave, George Frederic Watts and Thomas Faed, who considered the subject of the fallen woman in their work and helped propel the myth. In addition, newspaper illustrations and stereoscopes demonstrate how depictions of the fallen woman in popular culture also helped define a woman’s role and limitations within society. The exhibition also explores the written petitions of women applying to the Foundling Hospital at the time. During the early nineteenth century, London’s Foundling Hospital changed its admission process to focus on restoring respectability to the mother. Only the petitions of previously respectable women bearing their first illegitimate child were considered. A specially-commissioned sound installation by musician and composer Steve Lewinson offers a new and engaging interpretation of the Hospital’s archive and brings the women’s voices to life. The Fallen Woman is curated by Professor Lynda Nead in collaboration with The Foundling Museum’s curatorial team. Funded through #arthappens, Art Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Suitable for
Not suitable for children

Admission
Museum Admission: Adults £8.25 (including voluntary Gift Aid donation of 75p) Concessions £5.50 (including voluntary Gift Aid donation of 50p) Children (up to sixteen years), Art Fund members and Foundling Friends visit FREE The small voluntary donation enables us, thanks to Gift Aid, to reclaim the tax you pay on the whole entry fee if you are a UK tax payer. Adults £7.50, concessions £5, without donation All exhibitions and displays are included with admission We are a National Trust partner, entitling members to 50% off admission on presentation of a valid National Trust England membership card. Holders of a National Art Pass receive free entry.

Website
http://foundlingmuseum.org.uk/?whats-on=fallen-woman

Source: http://www.culture24.org.uk/se000370?id=EVENT534707