South front of the Retreat, showing the original Gentlemen’s Lodge building, painted by a patient

Galleries and Reading Room

Library

Shop

Café

From January 2026 Wellcome Collection will close at 18.00 on Thursdays.

We're running paid user research studies to improve Wellcome Collection online

Take part in research

Watercolour painting, painter unknown. This was framed, with a caption on the picture mount, as follows: “This drawing which represents the South front of the Retreat was executed by a patient in 1822 and was presented to the Retreat Committee by Miss Watson. The figure with a walking stick is meant for George Jepson (the uncle of Miss Watson) who had then recently broken his leg.” George Jepson was Retreat Superintendent 1797-1823. The painting shows the rear of the Retreat buildings, and, in front of this, the original Gentlemen’s Lodge, built in 1816-1817 (this was replaced by the Gentlemen’s New Lodge in 1875-1877). It also shows the Retreat gardens, the field beyond, and, on the left, Lamel Hill with a windmill on top.

South front of the Retreat, showing the original Gentlemen’s Lodge building, painted by a patient

Licence and re-use