Emma Hart as Circe

Emma Hart as Circe from 1782 is one of the numerous mythological guises in which Romney depicted his favorite model. Casting Emma as the enchantress who transformed men into swine allowed Romney to combine classical allusion with the expressive drama of her animated features. Romney's oil handling was distinguished by fluid, rapidly applied strokes and an instinctive sense of elegant silhouette, producing portraits of apparent effortlessness that concealed careful preparatory drawing.

The dramatic pose and flowing drapery are rendered with Romney's characteristic rapid, fluid brushwork, the mythological subject painted with theatrical intensity and vivid coloring.