Lady Hamilton as Circe 1782

George Romney painted this portrait, Lady Hamilton as Circe, with oils on canvas. The composition emphasizes the sitter's gaze, drawing us into her world with a directness that is both engaging and unsettling. Romney masterfully employs light and shadow to sculpt Lady Hamilton's features, casting her in a soft glow that accentuates her beauty, while the darker background hints at the hidden depths of her character. Romney's choice to depict Lady Hamilton as Circe isn't merely an aesthetic decision, it invites us to consider the power dynamics at play. Circe, the enchantress from Greek mythology, was known for her ability to transform men into beasts. The artist uses her likeness to subtly challenge the viewer to question fixed notions of beauty, power, and morality. Look at how Romney uses the formal elements of portraiture to unsettle established meanings and values. Lady Hamilton is an archetype of beauty, yet Romney's handling of light and shadow, coupled with the mythological context, suggests that appearances can be deceiving.