Lady Hamilton as Circe

British artist George Romney painted this theatrical portrait around 1782, depicting Emma Hart (later Lady Hamilton) as the enchantress Circe from Greek mythology. Emma's dramatic pose and flowing costume show her gift for performance that made her famous in aristocratic circles. Romney's fluid brushwork captures both her beauty and her talent for embodying mythological characters.

Romney painted Emma dozens of times, clearly captivated by her expressive face and theatrical presence. This portrait dates from their most productive period together, before she became Lady Hamilton and the mistress of Admiral Nelson. Now at Tate Britain in London, the painting documents both a celebrated beauty and one of the era's most important artistic partnerships.