Oil on canvas: 53.3 x 49.5 cm. Born as ‘Amy Lyon’, she became the mistress of the honourable Charles Francis Greville. He requested her to change her name ‘Emma Hart’. Wanting a painting of her, he sent her to sit for George Romney. Through the popularity of Romney’s work, and through her famous beauty, she became well known in society circles. She later married sir William Hamilton, more than twice her age. That wedding gave her the title ‘Lady Hamilton’ which she would use for the rest of her life. While still married to Hamilton, she started an affair with Horatio Nelson, the British flag officer in the Royal Navy. The affair became public knowledge and scandal. Emma gave birth to a daughter, while both she and Nelson were still married. After Hamilton and Nelson had died, she fell deeply into debt. She died in Calais, living in poverty.
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