Emma Tote Bag

Emma Hart (1765–1815) was a woman of great beauty and charm who rose from humble origins to international fame. This is the first of some twenty paintings Romney painted of her. They were not always portraits in the strict sense: She served as the model for a series of characters and themes, created by Romney with the goal of commercial success. Here, her expression of innocence is enhanced by the sweet dog cradled at her side. In contrast to the contemporary portraits of wealthy, socially elite women, Romney portrays Emma as an allegorical figure, with loose, dark hair, unbounded by the social strictures of her day.

The painting hung in Henry Clay Frick’s bedroom at 1 East 70th Street. It was there when Frick died in 1919, and was perhaps the last painting that he saw. Emma can be seen at that same location today, now known as the Walnut Room

This tote is one of a series that feature a notable Frick female portrait. 

Cotton twill lining

Size: 14 width, 16 height, 5.5 in. depth

Inside pocket: 5.25 x 7 in.