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Sir William Hamilton

(1730-1803), Diplomat and archaeologist

Mid-Georgian Portraits Catalogue Entry

Sitter in 13 portraits
British diplomat to Naples, between 1764 and 1800, Hamilton was also a distinguished antiquary. His collection of Greek and Etruscan vases was bought for the British Museum. In addition, Hamilton was fascinated by the study of volcanoes and made twenty-two ascents of Vesuvius. However, he is also remembered today for being the husband of Emma, mistress of Nelson.

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Sir William Hamilton, by David Allan - NPG 589

Sir William Hamilton

by David Allan
oil on canvas, 1775
NPG 589

Sir William Hamilton, by Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG 680

Sir William Hamilton

by Sir Joshua Reynolds
oil on canvas, 1777
NPG 680

Sir William Hamilton, by William Sharp - NPG D35270

Sir William Hamilton

by William Sharp
line engraving, late 18th century
NPG D35270

Sir William Hamilton, by Giovanni Elia Morghen, after Hugh Douglas Hamilton - NPG D19592

Sir William Hamilton

by Giovanni Elia Morghen, after Hugh Douglas Hamilton
line engraving, 1790s
NPG D19592

A Cognocenti contemplating ye Beauties of ye Antique (Emma Hamilton; Horatio Nelson; Sir William Hamilton), by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey - NPG D35272

A Cognocenti contemplating ye Beauties of ye Antique (Emma Hamilton; Horatio Nelson; Sir William Hamilton)

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 11 February 1801
NPG D35272

A Cognocenti Contemplating ye Beauties of ye Antique (Emma Hamilton; Horatio Nelson; Sir William Hamilton), by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey - NPG D12755

A Cognocenti Contemplating ye Beauties of ye Antique (Emma Hamilton; Horatio Nelson; Sir William Hamilton)

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 11 February 1801
NPG D12755

Sir William Hamilton ('From Sir William Hamilton's collection'), by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey - NPG D12761

Sir William Hamilton ('From Sir William Hamilton's collection')

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 8 May 1801
NPG D12761

Sir William Hamilton, by William Thomas Fry, published by T. Cadell & W. Davies, after Charles Grignion, after Hugh Douglas Hamilton - NPG D35271

Sir William Hamilton

by William Thomas Fry, published by T. Cadell & W. Davies, after Charles Grignion, after Hugh Douglas Hamilton
stipple engraving, published 27 March 1817
NPG D35271

Sir William Hamilton, by William Thomas Fry, published by T. Cadell & W. Davies, after Charles Grignion, after Hugh Douglas Hamilton - NPG D14099

Sir William Hamilton

by William Thomas Fry, published by T. Cadell & W. Davies, after Charles Grignion, after Hugh Douglas Hamilton
stipple engraving, published 27 March 1817
NPG D14099

Sir William Hamilton, by Samuel William Reynolds, after Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D2580

Sir William Hamilton

by Samuel William Reynolds, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, published 1820
NPG D2580

'The Dilettanti Society', by Charles Algernon Tomkins, after Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D32325

'The Dilettanti Society'

by Charles Algernon Tomkins, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, mid 19th century (1777-1779)
NPG D32325

'The Dilettanti Society', by Charles Algernon Tomkins, after Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D35196

'The Dilettanti Society'

by Charles Algernon Tomkins, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, mid 19th century (1777-1779)
NPG D35196

'The Dilettanti Society', by Vincent Brooks, after Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D35197

'The Dilettanti Society'

by Vincent Brooks, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
lithograph, mid 19th century (1777-1779)
NPG D35197

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