3-046-434 - "Royal Academy of Arts, London"/Heritage Images

The Pool of Bethesda, 1772. Biblical scene from John's Gospel: Jesus healing a paralysed man at a pool of water in Jerusalem. The Hogarth Stair at St Bartholomew's Hospital features two large paintings - The Good Samaritan and The Pool of Bethesda - by William Hogarth. Hogarth lived near the hospital and painted the works between 1735-37 as a gift, after learning that an Italian artist had been commissioned. The paintings are still on display in the 1732 Grade I-listed North Wing of St Bartholomew's Hospital - known as Barts - in the City of London. Patients have been cared for on the site at Smithfield since 1123, making it England's oldest working hospital.