Lady Hamilton
1791
George Romney was absolutely obsessed with his muse, Emma Hamilton, painting her over 60 times! Here, she sits in a flowing white muslin dress—a huge fashion trend inspired by ancient Greek simplicity—topped with a dramatic feathered hat. She looks back over her shoulder with a captivating, wide-eyed expression that hints at the charisma she used to charm everyone from artists to Admiral Lord Nelson. Before becoming a famous society figure and Nelson's mistress, she started as a maid, making her rise to fame quite the scandal of the 18th century.
- Technique
- Oil on canvas