The Attitudes of Lady Hamilton thumbnail 1
The Attitudes of Lady Hamilton thumbnail 2
+1
images
On loan
  • On short term loan out for exhibition

The Attitudes of Lady Hamilton

Print
after 1791 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
This print is an etching. The etching process involves using acid to bite designated lines into a metal plate. These lines are then filled with ink, and the plate is pressed onto paper, thus transferring the image.

Subject Depicted
This print shows Emma, Lady Hamilton (1765-1815) performing her famous 'attitudes', a series of theatrical mimes and poses in which she represented various figures from classical literature, myth and history. She was the wife of Sir William Hamilton (1730-1803), a diplomat, collector and connoisseur.

While performing her 'attitudes', Emma created a living gallery of statues and paintings by clever manipulation of her long shawl, her pose and facial expression, and the use of props, such as a vase. She acted a succession of characters, for example from a Roman maiden making an offering, to a devotional saint, to the classical figure Medea slaying her child. The audiences - connoisseurs and Grand Tourists - for whom Emma performed her poses, would all have recognised the various characters familiar to them in the form of classical sculptures and in depictions in Old Master paintings. Her audiences were profoundly impressed both by how she seemed able to bring to life the characters shown in famous works of art and the emotional intensity she conveyed in a performance.

People
Emma Hamilton was renowned for her looks, which were often compared to the perfect forms found in ancient Greek statues. In later years she was the lover of the naval hero Admiral Lord Nelson (1758-1805).

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleThe Attitudes of Lady Hamilton (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Etching, ink on paper
Brief description
Etching depicting the attitudes of Emma Hamilton
Physical description
Etching print on paper
Dimensions
  • Unmounted height: 20.4cm
  • Unmounted width: 32.5cm
Dimensions checked: measured; by Liz Miller
Gallery label
(27/03/2003)
British Galleries:
Emma Hamilton was the wife of Sir William Hamilton, the British representative in Naples who was also an archaeologist and a collector. She was famous for her 'attitudes', a series of theatrical mimes in costume representing figures from classical and other stories. They profoundly impressed viewers with their emotion and their relationship to famous works of art.
Credit line
Given by Leela Meinertas
Object history
Etched by Francesco Novelli (born in 1729, died in 1804) after Pietro Antonio Novelli (born in 1767, died in 1836); probably published in Venice
Subject depicted
Summary
Object Type
This print is an etching. The etching process involves using acid to bite designated lines into a metal plate. These lines are then filled with ink, and the plate is pressed onto paper, thus transferring the image.

Subject Depicted
This print shows Emma, Lady Hamilton (1765-1815) performing her famous 'attitudes', a series of theatrical mimes and poses in which she represented various figures from classical literature, myth and history. She was the wife of Sir William Hamilton (1730-1803), a diplomat, collector and connoisseur.

While performing her 'attitudes', Emma created a living gallery of statues and paintings by clever manipulation of her long shawl, her pose and facial expression, and the use of props, such as a vase. She acted a succession of characters, for example from a Roman maiden making an offering, to a devotional saint, to the classical figure Medea slaying her child. The audiences - connoisseurs and Grand Tourists - for whom Emma performed her poses, would all have recognised the various characters familiar to them in the form of classical sculptures and in depictions in Old Master paintings. Her audiences were profoundly impressed both by how she seemed able to bring to life the characters shown in famous works of art and the emotional intensity she conveyed in a performance.

People
Emma Hamilton was renowned for her looks, which were often compared to the perfect forms found in ancient Greek statues. In later years she was the lover of the naval hero Admiral Lord Nelson (1758-1805).
Collection
Accession number
E.253-2000

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdDecember 6, 2001
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest