Emma, Lady Hamilton

Sitterback to top

• Emma, Lady Hamilton (1765-1815), Mistress of Lord Nelson. Sitter in 28 portraits.

Artistback to top

• George Romney (1734-1802), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 156 portraits, Sitter in 5 portraits.

This portraitback to top

The daughter of a Cheshire blacksmith, Emma Hamilton became the mistress of Charles Greville, and later the wife of his uncle, Sir William Hamilton, the celebrated connoisseur who was British Ambassador in Naples. There she met Nelson after his decisive victory at the Nile and became his mistress. Fêted by Romney and other artists for her beauty, she gained a European reputation for her stylish 'tableaux vivants' or 'Attitudes'.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Audio Guide
• Gibson, Robin, Treasures from the National Portrait Gallery, 1996, p. 71
• Holmes, Richard; Crane, David; Woof, Robert; Hebron, Stephen, Romantics and Revolutionaries: Regency portraits from the National Portrait Gallery, 2002, p. 17
• Ingamells, John, National Portrait Gallery: Mid-Georgian Portraits 1760-1790, 2004, p. 228
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 274

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Hats and head-attire
• On display at the Gallery