Hospital of Our Lady. Paul’s Work. Rebuilt 1619.

This original antique hand coloured steel engraving depicts the Hospital of Our Lady — also known as Paul’s Work — Edinburgh, as it appeared following its rebuilding in 1619, drawn by Sir Daniel Wilson and engraved by T. Steuart for his landmark work Memorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time, published in 1848.

Paul’s Work was one of Edinburgh’s most ancient charitable institutions, its origins stretching back to a medieval hospital dedicated to the care of the poor and sick of the city. The building was substantially rebuilt in 1619 and served the city for centuries as a workhouse, correction house, and place of relief for Edinburgh’s most vulnerable citizens.

It stood just outside the city’s Leith Port, in the area between the Old Town and the port road north, and its long history of charitable work makes it one of the most socially significant buildings documented in the entire Memorials series. Wilson’s careful record of this remarkable building — with its distinctive 17th-century architecture preserved in the engraving — is a valuable piece of Edinburgh’s social and architectural history.

What makes this print exceptionally rare and desirable is its beautiful original hand colouring, which brings the ancient stonework and surrounding scene to vivid life. Hand coloured examples from this series are considerably scarcer than standard black and white impressions and are much sought after by collectors.

Subscript: Lower Left: D. Wilson. Lower Right: T. Steuart. Lower Center: Hospital of Our Lady. Paul’s Work. Rebuilt 1619.

Author: Sir Daniel Wilson, F. R. S. S. A. (1816–1892)

Publication: Memorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time. By Daniel Wilson, F. S. S. A. Acting Secretary to the Society of the Antiquaries of Scotland.

Volume: 2

Publisher: Hugh Paton / Simpkin, Marshall, & Co.

Place of Publication: Adam Square, Edinburgh / London

Date: 1848

Artist: Sir Daniel Wilson, F. R. S. S. A. (1816–1892)

Engraver: T. Steuart

Page Number: Between pages 132–133

Paper Dimensions: 7 ½ x 10 inches

Medium: Steel Engraving

Language: English

Coloured: Hand coloured

Condition: The print is in great condition with some minor wear around the edges, including what appears to be a faint water or adhesive mark most visible on the bottom right of the print, as can be seen. The print is on a very thin paper with some minor crease marks across the surface, as can be seen.

Reference: Memorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time, HathiTrust Digital Library