The Paintings of Emma Hart (Lady Hamilton) by George Romney

Résumé du livre

Eighteenth century portrait painter George Romney's most famous sitter was the beautiful Lady Hamilton, or Mrs. Emma Hart. In Romney's paintings, Mrs. Hart is not only portrayed in classical guise, but as a variety of figures from literature, religion, and history. In comparison to these "character" studies, there are relatively few "portraits," that is, with her dressed in contemporary fashions. It is in this sense that the so-called "Portraits of Lady Hamilton" (which, as we have seen, are rarely either) can be considered as occupying a middle position between Romney's portrait painting and his histories. I hope to show that the pictures of Mrs. Hart were the first important step towards the realization of Romney's ambition to be a painter of history, rather than a portraitist. In our discussion, we shall consider what possibly influenced Romney's various interpretations of his favorite model, noting particularly his source and choice of themes.