Childbirth Collection

Babies in a cabbage patch. Date: circa 1900s

Illustration of mother and newborn baby with umbilical cord still attached, baby being held by nurse

Cunicularii or the Wise Men of Godliman in Consultation, 1726 (engraving)
XJF867967 Cunicularii or the Wise Men of Godliman in Consultation, 1726 (engraving) by Hogarth, William (1697-1764); Private Collection; (add.info.: Story of Mary Toft, the woman)

Human fetus inside amniotic sac

Comic postcard, born on St Swithins Day Date: 20th century

The Archaic Artemis, Diana was the goddess of the hunt, the moon and childbirth, associated with wild animals and woodland

Scene from Ludvig Holberg's 'Maternity Room' (oil on canvas)
8711994 Scene from Ludvig Holberg's 'Maternity Room' (oil on canvas) by Marstrand, Wilhelm (1810-73); Nivaagaards Malerisamling, Niva

The birth of Saint John the Baptist. Detail of the Bas-Relief of the Baptismal Font made by Jacopo della Quercia
BEN5474943 The birth of Saint John the Baptist. Detail of the Bas-Relief of the Baptismal Font made by Jacopo della Quercia (1374-1438), 1427. Baptistery in Siena, Italy

Women called Dorothea who gave birth to twenty children, 15th century (engraving)
5311586 Women called Dorothea who gave birth to twenty children, 15th century (engraving); (add.info.: From 'Prodigiorum ac ostentorum chronicon' by Conrad Lycosthenes (Conrad Wolffhart)

The Nativity, c.1457 (oil, tempera and gold on wood panel)
XOS5873614 The Nativity, c.1457 (oil, tempera and gold on wood panel) by Ferrer, Jaume (fl.1430-1461); 187.3x139.1 cm; Cleveland Museum of Art, OH

Pope John VIII giving birth to a child in the street during a procession in 885
ELD4944803 Pope John VIII giving birth to a child in the street during a procession in 885, Rome (Pope Joan giving birth in the streets)

Smellie's surgical instruments used to assist childbirth: short curved forceps and catheter
FLO4696251 Smellie's surgical instruments used to assist childbirth: short curved forceps and catheter. Copperplate engraving by Andrew Bell after an illustration by Jan van Rymsdyk from William

Myrrrha, transformed into a tree, gives birth to Adonis - Myrrrha gives birth to Adonis
FLO4607789 Myrrrha, transformed into a tree, gives birth to Adonis - Myrrrha gives birth to Adonis and is metamorphosed into a myrrh tree. Copperplate engraving by W

Galanthis is transformed into weasel by Illythia, goddess of childbirth - The transformation of Galanthis into a weasel
FLO4607719 Galanthis is transformed into weasel by Illythia, goddess of childbirth - The transformation of Galanthis into a weasel by Lucina, goddess of childbirth. Copperplate engraving by W

Fetus head helped through the birth canal with forceps. Copperplate engraving by Andrew Bell after an illustration by
FLO4695943 Fetus head helped through the birth canal with forceps. Copperplate engraving by Andrew Bell after an illustration by Jan van Rymsdyk from William Smellie's A Set of Anatomical Tables

Different types of forceps. Manuscript by Abu-L-Qasim Az Zahrawi (Albuchasim). 13th century
GIA5036743 Different types of forceps. Manuscript by Abu-L-Qasim Az Zahrawi (Albuchasim). 13th century. Translation by Gerardus Magister Cremonensis.; (add.info.: Different types of forceps)

Woodcut showing a medieval or renaissance birth of conjoined (Siamese) twins, 15th century (engraving)
5311585 Woodcut showing a medieval or renaissance birth of conjoined (Siamese) twins, 15th century (engraving); (add.info)

Anatomical board of a new born (fetus) poorly positioned at the time of birth
FGL5472655 Anatomical board of a new born (fetus) poorly positioned at the time of birth. Engraving in "Anatomiche Tafeln zur Hebammernkust" by W. Smellie, 19th century.; Fototeca Gilardi.

Birth of Saint John the Baptist' Miniature illustrating 'Liber sacramentorum' (ms. 1275, f)
BEN5475158 Birth of Saint John the Baptist' Miniature illustrating 'Liber sacramentorum' (ms. 1275, f. 18 v) 10th or 11th century, Biblioteca Governativa

Episode of Mary's life: the birth of Mary. Painting by Francesco Borgani (17th century)
VEN5033959 Episode of Mary's life: the birth of Mary. Painting by Francesco Borgani (17th century) Church of San Martino and Nicola, Viadana

The death of Gabrielle d'Estrees (1573-1599) favorite of King Henry IV of France Engraving from "Histoire de
ELD4842198 The death of Gabrielle d'Estrees (1573-1599) favorite of King Henry IV of France Engraving from "Histoire de la Bastille" by Auguste Maquet

Smellie's instruments used to assist childbirth: straight short forceps, single arm of the forceps, and blunt hook
FLO4696211 Smellie's instruments used to assist childbirth: straight short forceps, single arm of the forceps, and blunt hook

Adele the servant gives birth to her baby in her room Illustration of the novel "Pot-Bouille" by Emile Zola
ELD4895997 Adele the servant gives birth to her baby in her room Illustration of the novel "Pot-Bouille" by Emile Zola (1840-1902)

Woodcut showing the title page of Eucharius Poesslin Der Schwangeren frawen und Hebammen Rosegarten, Hagenau, 1513
5311182 Woodcut showing the title page of Eucharius Poesslin Der Schwangeren frawen und Hebammen Rosegarten, Hagenau, 1513, the first printed textbook on midwifery; Universal History Archive/UIG.

Perineum and external parts stretched by the fetus head during late labour
FLO4695900 Perineum and external parts stretched by the fetus head during late labour. Copperplate engraving by Andrew Bell after an illustration by Jan van Rymsdyk from William Smellie's A Set

Smellie's surgical instruments used to assist childbirth: curved crotchets and scissors
FLO4696232 Smellie's surgical instruments used to assist childbirth: curved crotchets and scissors. Copperplate engraving by Andrew Bell from William Smellie's A Set of Anatomical Tables.;

Smellie's instruments used to assist childbirth: whale bone fillet, pessary and catheter
FLO4696215 Smellie's instruments used to assist childbirth: whale bone fillet, pessary and catheter. Copperplate engraving by Andrew Bell from William Smellie's A Set of Anatomical Tables.;

Birth of a child in the countryside (Phalsbourg region, Moselle, Alsace-Lorraine) in the 19th century
PCT4267210 Birth of a child in the countryside (Phalsbourg region, Moselle, Alsace-Lorraine) in the 19th century: the grandfather and father of the newborn present the baby to the mother

Birth of two stillborn babies, 15th century (engraving)
5311584 Birth of two stillborn babies, 15th century (engraving); (add.info.: The explosion is supposed to be uterine gasses)

Engraving depicting a birthing chair - women sat in such a stool during childbirth
5309452 Engraving depicting a birthing chair - women sat in such a stool during childbirth , and there is reference to such a device in the Old Testament; (add.info)

Release via the occiput, chin stop via the pubic symphysis, 1864 (engraving)
8766918 Release via the occiput, chin stop via the pubic symphysis, 1864 (engraving); Private Collection; (add.info.: Release via the occiput, chin stop via the pubic symphysis Dr)

Middle Ages: New born in a lady's room with servants and midwives caring for the child, 15th century
NWI4893278 Middle Ages: New born in a lady's room with servants and midwives caring for the child, 15th century. Colour engraving of the 19th century.; (add.info.: Middle Ages)

Incipit of the Gospel according to Luke: Angel Gabriel announces to Zechariah that his wife Elizabeth will no longer be
VEN5027406 Incipit of the Gospel according to Luke: Angel Gabriel announces to Zechariah that his wife Elizabeth will no longer be sterile

Bone saw, pliers, scissors, mallet and hook for childbirth - Plate taken from " L'Encyclopedie" by Denis
FLO4611854 Bone saw, pliers, scissors, mallet and hook for childbirth - Plate taken from " L'Encyclopedie" by Denis Diderot (1713-1784) and Jean Le Rond D'Alembert (1717-1783)

The Birth and Naming of John the Baptist, 1496-99 (oil on wood)
XOS5879065 The Birth and Naming of John the Baptist, 1496-99 (oil on wood) by Juan de Flandes, (c.1465-1519); 99x60 cm; Cleveland Museum of Art, OH

Birth of Saint John the Baptist. Anonymous painting. 1500 approx. Unterlinden Museum, Colmar (68)
ETI4396235 Birth of Saint John the Baptist. Anonymous painting. 1500 approx. Unterlinden Museum, Colmar (68).; (add.info.: Birth of Saint John the Baptist. Anonymous painting. 1500 approx)

A wise woman brings a new one to a eplore man whose wife just died giving birth to this child
NWI4953698 A wise woman brings a new one to a eplore man whose wife just died giving birth to this child. Colour engraving after a 19th century illustration.; (add.info)

Figure of Taweret, New Kingdom (1600-1081 BCE). Creator: Unknown
Figure of Taweret, New Kingdom (1600-1081 BCE)

Snake Goddess Nursing Hypocrytes, Late Period (724-333 BCE) (possibly modern). Creator: Unknown
Snake Goddess Nursing Hypocrytes, Late Period (724-333 BCE) (possibly modern)

Figurine of the Pregnant Hippo Goddess Taweret, Late Period-Ptolemaic Period (664-30 BCE). Creator: Unknown
Figurine of the Pregnant Hippo Goddess Taweret, Late Period-Ptolemaic Period (664-30 BCE)

Hermitage of Valmiki, Folio from the "Nadaun" Ramayana (Adventures of Rama), c1820. Creator: Unknown
Hermitage of Valmiki, Folio from the "Nadaun" Ramayana (Adventures of Rama), c1820

The Birth of the Buddha, 19th Century. Creator: Unknown
The Birth of the Buddha, 19th Century

Figurine of the Goddess Wadjet, between c.664 and c.525 B.C.. Creator: Unknown
Figurine of the Goddess Wadjet, between c.664 and c.525 B.C

Scarab With Depiction of the Hippo Goddess Taweret, Egypt, probably 18th - 20th Dynasty 1569 - 108.. Creator: Unknown
Scarab With Depiction of the Hippo Goddess Taweret (image 2 of 2), Egypt, probably 18th - 20th Dynasty (1569 - 1081 BCE)

Her Imperial Majesty the Empress of the French, 1856. Creator: W Thomas
Her Imperial Majesty the Empress of the French, 1856. Portrait of Empress Eugenie on the occasion of the birth of her son Louis-Napoleon, Prince Imperial

The Maternity Ward, Act III, Scene 6; Holberg Gallery, 1810. Creator: Christian August Lorentzen
The Maternity Ward, Act III, Scene 6; Holberg Gallery. Scenes from Ludvig Holberg's comedies, 1810

Esquisse pour l'église Notre-Dame-de-Clignancourt : La Naissance de la Vierge, 1866
Esquisse pour l'eglise Notre-Dame-de-Clignancourt : La Naissance de la Vierge, 1866. Sketch for the Notre-Dame-de-Clignancourt church (18th arrondissement). Birth of the Virgin

Birth of the Virgin, 1785. Creator: Greek School
Birth of the Virgin, 1785

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"Miracles of Life: A Journey through Childbirth" From the whimsical tales of babies in a cabbage patch to the ancient depictions of childbirth, the wonders and complexities of bringing new life into this world have fascinated humanity for centuries. In the Archaic Artemis, we find solace in the goddess's protective embrace during labor, while Cunicularii or the Wise Men of Godliman in Consultation reminds us that even in 1726, birth was a subject worthy of scholarly discussion. The engraving depicting a human fetus inside an amniotic sac takes us deep into the realm where life begins - within our mothers' wombs, and is here that nature's magic unfolds as tiny hearts beat and limbs form, preparing for their grand entrance into existence. Yet amidst these serious portrayals lies humor too. The comic postcard celebrating those born on St Swithins Day brings laughter to an otherwise intense experience. And who can forget Prince Leopold paying homage at Charlotte's tomb? A reminder that even royalty bows before motherhood's power. Lucina, goddess herself, watches over every laboring woman with her unwavering presence. Her guidance echoes throughout history as seen in Posada's artwork capturing Mexico's triplets' birth – a testament to both strength and resilience. Blanche of Navarre rests eternally beneath her sepulcher; her death giving birth immortalized forevermore. These stories remind us that life intertwines with death – one cycle ending as another begins. In Le Morte D'Arthur, Arthurian legend merges with themes of rebirth and destiny. Birth becomes intertwined with epic tales and fates entwined like threads woven by mythical forces beyond our comprehension. And finally, Warwick House stands tall as it witnessed countless births throughout its existence - each one unique yet connected by this universal miracle called childbirth. As we explore these hints from different eras and cultures, we are reminded that a timeless phenomenon.