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 Hart had a spectacularly successful career as mistress to a succession of older men, finally marrying Sir William Hamilton, the British envoy in Naples. Romney met her when she was only seventeen and the mistress of Charles Greville. He was clearly besotted by her and painted her again and again, becoming her friend but probably not her lover, however much he might have liked to be. As she wrote to him on 20 December 1791, 'you was the first dear friend I open'd my heart to, you ought to know me, for you have seen and discoursed with me in my poorer days, you have known me in my poverty and prosperity'. This portrait is one of many that Romney kept back in his studio for his private delectation. It conveys something of his feeling for her doe-eyed beauty.

Related worksback to top

• NPG D14101: Emma, Lady Hamilton (after)

Linked publicationsback to top

• Audio Guide
• Cooper, John, Great Britons: The Great Debate, 2002, p. 93
• Ingamells, John, National Portrait Gallery: Mid-Georgian Portraits 1760-1790, 2004, p. 227
• Piper, David, The English Face, 1992, p. 191
• Saumarez Smith, Charles, The National Portrait Gallery: An Illustrated Guide, 2000, p. 106
• Saumarez Smith, Charles, The National Portrait Gallery, 1997, p. 106
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 274
• Woof, Robert; Hebron, Stephen, Romantic Icons, 1999, p. 53

Subject/Themeback to top

• Hats and head-attire