Lady Caroline Lamb

Sitterback to top

• Lady Caroline Lamb (1785-1828), Novelist. Sitter in 2 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Eliza H. Trotter (active 1811-1814), Portrait painter. Artist of 1 portrait.

This portraitback to top

At the time at which this portrait was painted, Lady Caroline Lamb, the wife of the future prime minister William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, was having an affair with Sir Godfrey Webster. Exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1811, the portrait includes coded references to their relationship. Webster is recorded as having given Lamb two presents, a bracelet and a dog, and in the portrait the miniature bull terrier (whose name is thought to have been Phyllis) wears two collars, one of which appears to be a bracelet of set and linked gemstones. Lamb, a romantic novelist, went on to have a string of lovers including Lord Byron whom she famously described as 'mad, bad and dangerous to know'.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Gibson, Robin, The Face in the Corner: Animal Portraits from the Collections of the National Portrait Gallery, 1998, p. 52
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 360
• Walker, Richard, Regency Portraits, 1985, p. 302

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Landscapes
• Pets and animals