Emma Hamilton
(Baptised 1765-1815), Mistress of Lord NelsonEmma (née Lyon), Lady Hamilton
Mid-Georgian Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter in 30 portraits
Daughter of a blacksmith, Emma achieved celebrity through her beauty, personal vitality and skills as a performer. She is principally remembered as George Romney's 'muse' and for her love affair with Nelson. Emma fell in love with him after the Battle of the Nile (1798), when she and her husband William Hamilton, the British Ambassador at Naples, offered the wounded victor hospitality. Emma and Nelson returned to England in 1800 where a daughter was born. The affair was an international scandal, but it enhanced Nelson's reputation as a romantic hero. At his death, in 1805, Nelson entrusted her care to the nation, but this was ignored by the government. She died in poverty in France in 1815.
by Jean Condé, published by James Asperne, after George Romney
stipple engraving, published 1 June 1803 (circa 1782-1786)
NPG D46093
by Jean Condé, published by James Asperne, after George Romney
stipple engraving, published 1 June 1803 (circa 1782-1786)
NPG D14101
by and published by William Say, after John James Masquerier
mezzotint, published 20 May 1806
NPG D35238
by and published by William Say, after John James Masquerier
mezzotint, published 20 May 1806
NPG D35239
by Charles Brome, by Thomas Bragg, published by Richard Lambe, after George Romney
line engraving, published 4 May 1827 (mid 1780s)
NPG D35242
by Charles Brome, by Thomas Bragg, after George Romney
line engraving, 1827 (mid 1780s)
NPG D35243
Emma Hamilton ('Lady Hamilton as Ariadne')
after George Romney
line engraving, after 1827 (mid 1780s)
NPG D35244
by Henry Sigismund Uhlrich, after George Romney
lithograph of wood engraving, published 29 April 1876 (circa 1786)
NPG D35246
by Henry Sigismund Uhlrich, after George Romney
lithograph of wood engraving, published 29 April 1876 (circa 1786)
NPG D35247
by Dudley H. Pratt, after Elisabeth-Louise Vigée-Le Brun
mezzotint, 1905, based on a work of 1791-1792
NPG D35245
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