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GEORGE ROMNEY (1734-1802) LADY HAMILTON AS "NATURE" Canvas, 25 inches by 30 inches

HALF-LENGTH, almost full face, dressed in a low neck gown. In her arms she holds a Blenheim spaniel. On her head is a colored scarf of gauzy material. Her hair hangs loose down her back. Lips parted in a smile. Landscape on the left. In the Rev. John Romney's book on the artist, it is stated that it was in 1782 that Lady Hamilton, under the name of Mrs. Hart, first sat to Romney. "She was brought by the Hon. Charles Greville to sit for a three-quarter portrait. It was that beautiful one so full of naivete, in which she is represented with a little spaniel lap dog under her arm." In 1784 it was engraved in mezzontint by J. R. Smith, entitled "Nature," and published with these lines: "Flush'd by the Spirit of the Genial Year, Her lips blush deeper sweets, the breath of Youth; The shining moisture swells into her eyes In brighter glow, her wishing bosom heaves With palpitations wild." Numerous other engravings of it have been made. Indeed, it is the most popular of all Romney pictures, as well a the most attractive portrait of Lady Hamilton, An enamel "after the original by Romney" by J. Lee, was exhibited at the Royal Academy of 1825. Lady Hamilton died at Calais in 1815. 151