1782 (ca.), George Romney, Emma Hart as Circe -- Tate Britain (London)
From the museum label: This unfinished, life-size sketch in oil paint is of the 17-year-old dancer and model Emma Hart (1765-1815). She is shown in the character of the sorceress Circe from Greek mythology. She became George Romney's favourite model. This painting marks the beginning of her highly theatrical public persona and would have immediately signalled her sexual allure to contemporaries. Such images helped raise both Romney's reputation as a painter and Hart's celebrity as a sensual beauty.
1782 (ca.), George Romney, Emma Hart as Circe -- Tate Britain (London)
From the museum label: This unfinished, life-size sketch in oil paint is of the 17-year-old dancer and model Emma Hart (1765-1815). She is shown in the character of the sorceress Circe from Greek mythology. She became George Romney's favourite model. This painting marks the beginning of her highly theatrical public persona and would have immediately signalled her sexual allure to contemporaries. Such images helped raise both Romney's reputation as a painter and Hart's celebrity as a sensual beauty.