Painting of the Day: A Miniature of Caroline Lamb, 1815-1820

Miniature on Ivory
of Lady Caroline Lamb
Emma Eleanora Kendrick, 1815-1820
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Painted between 1815 and 1820, this miniature of watercolor on ivory is the work of Emma Eleanora Kendrick (1787-1871) and depicts Lady Caroline Lamb. 

Lady Caroline Lamb (1785-1828) was a well-known British aristocrat and novelist.  She often found herself at the center of scandals.  Perhaps, she is best known for her tumultuous affair with Lord Byron in 1812. Lady Caroline also had a famous husband--the 2nd Viscount Melbourne, who later became Prime Minister (and controversial buddy) to Queen Victoria. Lady Caroline, however, was never  created the Viscountess Melbourne because she died before Melbourne succeeded to the peerage.  She is, therefore, known to history as Lady Caroline Lamb.