England's Mistress: The Infamous Life of Emma Hamilton (72 page)

Sir William Hamilton— intellectual, connoisseur, and ambassador to Naples—fell in love with Emma against his better instincts.

Emma as a dancing Bacchante, by Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun

A dancer in a Neapolitan brothel in 1945, performing her version of Emma's Attitudes

Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun's portrait of Emma as a reclining Bacchante was Sir William's prized possession.

Emma begs Horatio Nelson to come to Naples and rescue her friends from Napoleon— making it clear she will welcome him with passion.

Maria Carolina, Queen of Naples, pictured here with one of her many children, was magisterial, ruthless, and hungry for affection.

Nelson arrived in Naples, resplendent in his medal and fresh from success at the Battle of the Nile, and Emma was determined to capture his heart.

Nelson enjoying a drink with his sailors. Life on the ship was fueled by gallons of beer and wine.

Nelson's quiet and reserved wife had none of Emma's fizz and glamour. Nelson had fallen out of love with her and he was craving affection.

Thomas Rowlandson's Modern Antiques ridiculed the setup at Merton, showing a crabby old Sir William protesting as the lovers frolic in a mummy case.

In Dido in Despair, James Gillray made a joke out of what everybody already knew: Nelson had sailed away and left Emma with her husband—and very pregnant.

Before long, Emma was featured on commemorative Nelson goods. On the silver pocket watch, she waves him off from the quayside, and on the fine china mug, Emma as Britannia clutches a shield bearing the hero.