Emma Hamilton
(Baptised 1765-1815), Mistress of Lord NelsonEmma (née Lyon), Lady Hamilton
Mid-Georgian Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter in 33 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 George Romney
oil on canvas, circa 1785
NPG 294
by Richard Cosway
pencil and watercolour, circa 1801
NPG 2941
by Vincenzo Aloja, after Charles Grignion
etching, late 18th century
NPG D3203
after Sir Joshua Reynolds
line engraving, (circa 1783-1784)
NPG D8700
by Richard Earlom, published by John Boydell, published by Josiah Boydell, after George Romney
stipple engraving, published 1 August 1787
NPG D35240
by John Young, published by John Harris, after John Hoppner
mezzotint, published 1 May 1788
NPG D35241
by Raphael Morghen, after Angelica Kauffmann
line engraving, (1791)
NPG D19120
by Tommaso Piroli, after Friedrich Rehberg
etching, (1794)
NPG D14103
by Tommaso Piroli, after Friedrich Rehberg
etching, (1794)
NPG D14104
by Tommaso Piroli, after Friedrich Rehberg
etching, (1794)
NPG D14105
by Tommaso Piroli, after Friedrich Rehberg
etching, (1794)
NPG D14106
by Tommaso Piroli, after Friedrich Rehberg
etching, (1794)
NPG D14107
by Tommaso Piroli, after Friedrich Rehberg
etching, (1794)
NPG D14108
by and published by Charles Knight, after George Romney
stipple engraving, published 17 June 1797
NPG D46094
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 11 February 1801
NPG D35272
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 11 February 1801
NPG D12755
Emma Hamilton ('Dido, in despair!')
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching and stipple engraving, published 6 February 1801
NPG D13034
by Henry Bone, probably after Elisabeth-Louise Vigée-Le Brun
pencil drawing squared in ink for transfer, July 1803
NPG D17508
by K. Mackenzie, published by Vernor & Hood, after William Mineard Bennett
stipple engraving, published 1803
NPG D23540
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Related pages
- Emma Hamilton
- Late Eighteenth Century Prints and Drawings
- Only Connect
- Only Connect - Emma Hamilton <> William Hamilton
- Only Connect - Emma Hamilton <> Richard Cosway
- Only Connect - William Hamilton <> Emma Hamilton
- Only Connect - William Hamilton <> Joseph Haydn
- Only Connect - William Hamilton <> Horatio Nelson
- Only Connect - Emma Hamilton <> Horatio Nelson
- Only Connect - Emma Hamilton <> Joseph Haydn
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