Blacksmith's daughter and later actress Emma Hart (1786-1815) became the
mistress of Charles Greville, penniless second son of the Earl of Warwick.
Greville asked Romney to paint his teenage mistress and the artist developed
a fascination for her, producing around 30 oil paintings and hundreds of
sketches of her.
This pose derives from 17th-century Dutch paintings of domestic scenes.
Emma is perhaps best known as later being the great love of Admiral Lord Nelson.
(Kenwood House)

Nelson left instructions for England to look after Emma after his death.
To our great shame nothing was done. She died penniless in Calais. (CB)