Tag Archives: National Maritime Museum

Emma Revisited!

Emma Hamilton: Seduction and Celebrity (REVISITED), National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London SE 10, until 17th April 2017

'Emma as the spinstress' by George Romney, 1784-85 ® Kenwood, English Heritage

‘Emma as the spinstress’ by George Romney, 1784-85
® Kenwood, English Heritage

I know that I only wrote about this exhibition on January 6th but I so, so liked it that I returned to see it again the other weekend AND I enjoyed it even more. Obviously I must be a bit of an Emma Hamilton “groupie” – and I make no apologies for it!

The exhibition provides not only a close-up view of one of history’s great love affairs but also gives an insight into the times that Hamilton and Nelson lived in.  It’s an engrossing journey into the past and I count myself fortunate that I have been able to immerse myself into this fascinating story twice.

'Britannia crowning the Bust of our late Hero Lord Nelson', 1805 by Thomas Baxter ® National Maritime Museum, London

‘Britannia crowning the Bust of our late Hero Lord Nelson’, 1805 by Thomas Baxter
® National Maritime Museum, London

Please, please don’t miss this show because it will no doubt be a long time before such an exhibition on this scale will be put on.

 

 

http://www.rmg.co.uk/emmahamilton

BOOK REVIEW: Emma Hamilton Seduction & Celebrity

Emma Hamilton

Seduction & Celebrity

(In association with the Royal Museums Greenwich)

Edited by Quintin Colville with Kate Williams
ISBN 9780500252208
 £29.95

emma-hamilton-jacket

It would have been totally wrong for me to have mentioned this beautifully illustrated book when I reviewed the marvellous exhibition ‘Emma Hamilton Seduction & Celebrity’ at the National Maritime Museum (6th January, 2017) since this book is equally as enjoyable and while complementing the exhibition it very definitely stands alone too.  It takes us into the world of Emma Hamilton (1765–1815) and reassesses her life and role and shows her cultural and social achievements.  I have always thought that if Emma could have gained the confidence and friendship of Naples’s Queen Maria Carolina, daughter of Maria Theresa, then there was obviously something more substantial than being just a temptress about her.

The contributors which also include Vic Gatrell, Hannah Greig, Jason Kelly, Margarette Lincoln, Christine Riding and Gillian Russell bring a fresh understanding of a woman who not only captured the heart of a great naval hero but has beguiled us ever since.

Porcelain lovers will also be interested to see the series of pictures of Emma’s beloved Merton Place done by Thomas Baxter who is also well known for the decoration of porcelain.

 

www.thamesandhudson.com

A Cautionary Tale

Emma Hamilton: Seduction and Celebrity, National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London SE 10, until 17th April 2017

'Emma as La Penserosa', 1791-92 by Sir Thomas Lawrence ® The Abercorn Heirloom Settlement Trustees; Bryan F. Rutledge B.A.

‘Emma as La Penserosa’, 1791-92 by Sir Thomas Lawrence
® The Abercorn Heirloom Settlement Trustees; Bryan F. Rutledge B.A.

This is an exhibition that has exceeded my expectations and one I had been looking forward to since I learnt of it.

It is I think very much a story of a beautiful young woman that has resonance today – a tale of humble beginnings, of becoming a “celebrity” but ending in disillusionment and obscurity.

Berlin service: Teapot depicting Emma Hamilton ® National Maritime Museum, London. From the Clive Richards Collection

Berlin service: Teapot depicting Emma Hamilton
® National Maritime Museum, London. From the Clive Richards Collection

Born in Cheshire in 1765, daughter of a struggling blacksmith Emma came to London in her thirteenth year and became part of the Covent Garden world which mixed high society with the sexual underworld. Aged sixteen she became the mistress of Sir Harry Fetherstonhaugh and as readers of my blog ‘Unravelling Uppark’ (06/06/14) will know Emma danced naked on the dining room table there to entertain his friends. However when she fell pregnant Fetherstonhaugh chucked her out and she returned to Cheshire and gave birth to a daughter.

'Emma dancing the tarantella' c.1791 by William Lock ® The Jean Kislak Collection

‘Emma dancing the tarantella’ c.1791 by William Lock
® The Jean Kislak Collection

Fortunately she had made the acquaintance of Charles Greville, a son of the Earl of Warwick, and he took her under his wing, installing her in his house just off the Edgware Road in London, an area more rural then than it is today. It was there that Greville introduced her to the painter George Romney.  She was, as the wonderful paintings shown in the exhibition amply prove, a perfect Muse for the artist.

Emma as Circe, 1782, by George Romney ® The National Trust, Waddesdon Manor

Emma as Circe, 1782, by George Romney
® The National Trust, Waddesdon Manor

She also met Greville’s uncle Sir William Hamilton and it was on to him that Greville passed Emma when he tired of her by sending her to Naples where Hamilton was British envoy. Naples was a major stopping-off place on the Grand Tour and thanks to Hamilton’s patient teaching and her own talent she created her famous “Attitudes” which brought scenes from paintings and sculpture to life. She achieved even more of a celebrity status which was crowned when Hamilton married her in 1791.

Gold and micro-mosaic necklace belonging to Emma ® National Maritime Museum, London

Gold and micro-mosaic necklace belonging to Emma
® National Maritime Museum, London

Her new position as an envoy’s wife meant that she had to play a political role too and in this Emma was fortunate that the Neapolitan King’s wife Maria Carolina, a sister of Marie Antoinette, liked her and made a confidante of her.

Horatio Nelson, 1758 -1805, Vice Admiral of the White by Johann Heinrich Schmidt ® National Maritime Museum, London

Horatio Nelson, 1758 -1805, Vice Admiral of the White by Johann Heinrich Schmidt
® National Maritime Museum, London

However in 1798 the arrival of Admiral Nelson, following his victory at the Battle of the Nile, was the beginning of what would be one of the great love affairs of history.  It was one fraught with dangers as her infidelity rocked society and it was not helped by Emma’s giving birth to Nelson’s child whom they named Horatia.

Emma, Lady Hamilton, 1761 - 1815 by Johann Heinrich Schmidt ® National Maritime Museum, London

Emma, Lady Hamilton, 1761 – 1815 by Johann Heinrich Schmidt
® National Maritime Museum, London

They acquired a house at Merton in Surrey and set up home their but because of Nelson’s naval duties he was frequently away.  His death at the Battle of Trafalgar 21st October 1805 brought it all crashing down. Life became difficult in every way and her attempts to maintain her lifestyle and position led to her being imprisoned for debt in 1813 in the King’s Bench Prison.  Thanks to funds being provided she was released but had to flee to Calais to escape her creditors and it was there in January 1815 she died after months of illness in the same poverty as she had been born.

Gold 'fede' or betrothal ring, one of a pair exchanged by Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson and Emma ® National Maritime Museum, London

Gold ‘fede’ or betrothal ring, one of a pair exchanged by Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson and Emma
® National Maritime Museum, London

This somewhat salutary tale is beautifully told through pictures, objects, jewellery, furniture, prints, costumes and personal letters.  It really does give a wonderful insight into her life and times and explains why she remains so beguiling a figure. She is one of those people from history you would really want to meet!

'View of Merton House showing Lady Hamilton and Horatia in the grounds' ® National Maritime Museum, London

‘View of Merton House showing Lady Hamilton and Horatia in the grounds’
® National Maritime Museum, London

 

http://www.rmg.co.uk/emmahamilton

A Century Ago Today – Lest we Forget

 Jutland 1916: WWI’s Greatest Sea Battle, National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London SE10, until November 2018

Model of HMS Queen Mary (1912) © National Maritime Museum, London

Model of HMS Queen Mary (1912)
© National Maritime Museum, London

 Today marks the centenary of the only major naval battle of World War One – ‘Der Tag’.  Some two hundred and seventy nine ships were involved in the Battle of Jutland on the 31st May 1916 and it was a fight that resulted in no clear victory but saw serious losses of ships and the loss of more than eight thousand five hundred lives.

Admiral Sir John Jellicoe (1859-1936) © National Maritime Museum, London

Admiral Sir John Jellicoe (1859-1936)
© National Maritime Museum, London

This fascinating, but sobering, exhibition has been brought together with the help of the grandson of Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, the commander of the British Grand Fleet.  Through photographs, ship models, paintings, medals and film the visitor sees the battle in context and the impact of its aftermath.

Imperial German Naval Ensign from SMS 'Moltke' 1912 that was present at Jutland. © National Maritime Museum, London

Imperial German Naval Ensign from SMS ‘Moltke’ 1912 that was present at Jutland.
© National Maritime Museum, London

For example the 14ft long shipbuilder’s model of HMS Queen Mary, which was one of the largest British battle cruisers in the fight was destroyed by enemy fire and out of its 1,266 strong crew only 18 survived.

British Naval Ensign used as a battle ensign by HMS 'Chester' 1915 at the Battle of Jutland 31 May 1916. © National Maritime Museum, London

British Naval Ensign used as a battle ensign by HMS ‘Chester’ 1915 at the Battle of Jutland 31 May 1916.
© National Maritime Museum, London

On a more cheerful note I met the grandson of Marcus Bailey, a West Indian, who had served on HMS Chester, and despite the ship being hit by 17 shells, wounding and killing 78 men, he survived. Visitors will see Bailey’s image thanks to the photograph his grandson loaned to the exhibition.

 

http://www.rmg.co.uk

Samuel Pepys – an exhibition and a book

Samuel Pepys: Plague, Fire, Revolution, National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London SE10, until 28th March 2016

John Hayls, 1666 Samuel Pepys, (c) National Portrait Gallery, London

John Hayls, 1666
Samuel Pepys,
(c) National Portrait Gallery, London

Even if one knew nothing at all about this colourful, celebrated 17th century figure the exhibition’s title gives a clear clue about the stirring, changing times in which he lived.  The exhibition starts with the execution of Charles I, an event which Pepys, playing truant from school, witnessed.  We learn how Pepys in 1658 underwent the removal of a large bladder stone without anaesthetic or antiseptic – and yes the surgical practices of the era were somewhat scary and yet fortunately he survived the trauma.  In 1660 he was on the ship bringing Charles II and his brother James, Duke of York back to England at the Restoration of the Monarchy.

Dirk Stoop, c.1661, Charles II's cavalcade through City of London on 22nd April 1661, the day before his coronation. Oil on panel. (c) Museum of London

Dirk Stoop, c.1661,
Charles II’s cavalcade through City of London on 22nd April 1661, the day before his coronation. Oil on panel.
(c) Museum of London

It is his diary for which he is most widely known and which he wrote in shorthand.  He started writing it in January 1660 and continued writing it until 1669.  We learn through it not only details of his personal life, including affairs and friends but also of major events such as the Plague and the Great Fire of London.

Painting of 'The Fire of London, September 1666', unknown, 17th century, (c) National Maritime Museum, London

Painting of ‘The Fire of London, September 1666’, unknown, 17th century,
(c) National Maritime Museum, London

He was something of a Renaissance man and was an adept administrator in naval matters, an MP and a member of the Royal Society and all these aspects of his life and times are revealed through the two hundred objects in the exhibition drawn from private and public collections.

Suit worn by James, Duke of York, at his wedding to Mary of Modena, 1673, (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Suit worn by James, Duke of York, at his wedding to Mary of Modena, 1673,
(c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

On the death of Charles II in 1685, Pepys continued to serve his brother James, the new King, who had been his main patron.  However James lost his crown in the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and William and Mary succeeded to the throne and it as at this juncture that Pepys withdrew from public life and continued to pursue his many interests, including music, in retirement until his death in Clapham in 1703.

 

http://www.rmg.co.uk

 

 Samuel Pepys

Samuel Pepys

Plague, Fire, Revolution

Edited by Margarette Lincoln
Introduction by Claire Tomalin
 Thames & Hudson
ISBN 9780500518144
£29.95

 

This volume which is published alongside the hugely enjoyable exhibition is, if anything, even more of a treat.  It is beautifully illustrated and includes a larger number of pictures, objects and engravings to provide a really engaging view of the world of Samuel Pepys (1633–1703).

 

http://www.thamesandhudson.com