Emma Hamilton to me seems a highly complex personality. What struck me first of all was the blur of movement that seems to overwhelm the page. To use a car-driving analogy, she is driving without breaks, rushing headlong forward. It is a highly ‘masculine’ writing, not the subservient type that (I imagine) society expected of her!
Another striking feature is that Emma’s script does not conform to the school model of writing that was taught at the time. Emma makes scant attempt to present an image of order, grace and refinement. This is highly surprising considering the rigid social conventions of the time, and considering the importance people placed at the time on the quality of one’s handwriting.
So, in my view, it is a highly modern writing for the above reasons. The ‘kamikaze’ movement of the writing to me speaks of a need to express the emotions, instincts and feelings that she struggles to contain. She is a passionate, impulsive and lively personality. Life would never be dull with her around!
One can see the great skill she uses in connecting letters and simplifying the shape of letters. She seemed to have a very agile and sharp mind, and a desire to throw herself into projects. However, the structure of the writing is fragile, and there is not enough solidity in the Form. The writing seems to be running away from itself.
From my analysis, I believe Emma had huge insecurities that undermined her self-esteem. As a result, I believe that she wanted to be highly involved with the outside world, as a way of escaping her own fragile sense of worth. 'Acting', performance, excitement and public admiration were a way of avoiding depression that I think she may have been at risk from, along with many actors & performers.
Another striking feature is that Emma’s script does not conform to the school model of writing that was taught at the time. Emma makes scant attempt to present an image of order, grace and refinement. This is highly surprising considering the rigid social conventions of the time, and considering the importance people placed at the time on the quality of one’s handwriting.
So, in my view, it is a highly modern writing for the above reasons. The ‘kamikaze’ movement of the writing to me speaks of a need to express the emotions, instincts and feelings that she struggles to contain. She is a passionate, impulsive and lively personality. Life would never be dull with her around!
One can see the great skill she uses in connecting letters and simplifying the shape of letters. She seemed to have a very agile and sharp mind, and a desire to throw herself into projects. However, the structure of the writing is fragile, and there is not enough solidity in the Form. The writing seems to be running away from itself.
From my analysis, I believe Emma had huge insecurities that undermined her self-esteem. As a result, I believe that she wanted to be highly involved with the outside world, as a way of escaping her own fragile sense of worth. 'Acting', performance, excitement and public admiration were a way of avoiding depression that I think she may have been at risk from, along with many actors & performers.