Our collection of art and heritage

Our collection of art and heritage, mainly associated with Guy's and St Thomas' hospitals, is valued at around £4.7 million. It comprises over 4,000 works and includes 16th century portraiture, period furniture, pharmaceuticals collections, silverware, textiles, water features, contemporary prints and site-specific installations.

We ensure that the collection is conserved for the future benefits of patients, visitors and hospital staff. It has been catalogued, security marked and digitised and is available for research purposes (by appointment only).

The 'mini museums' on both hospital sites, commissioned by the Charity, describe the long history of Guy's and St Thomas' hospitals and document the many medical 'firsts' which have helped establish their reputation for pioneering healthcare. 

Historical documents relating to Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals reside at the London Metropolitan Archives. The catalogue includes estates plans dating back to the eighteenth century and the Guy's Hospital minute book for the committee for taking in 'Lunatics' dated 1725-1748. There is also a small photographic archive which depict the bomb damage suffered by both hospitals during the Blitz.

Site specific art commissions

The Charity supports the commissioning of artworks which complement healthcare environments and are informed by the experiences and wishes of patients and staff using these areas.

Examples include: