Pott, Emily (Miss)

1781

Reynolds’s model for his painting of Thais (G1025) was reputed to have been the notorious courtesan Emily Pott, also sometimes known as Emily Warren, Emily Bertie and Emily Coventry. Supposedly Reynolds had used her many times as a model. Reynolds seemed to have enjoyed the gossip and speculation surrounding his picture of Thais. Emily Warren had been a lover of the Hon Charles Greville, who may have commissioned the portrait and who bought it. In 1778 Emily left him for Robert Pott. Emily never saw the finished picture, which was exhibited at the RA in 1781. In the spring of that year she died at sea on her way to India. The Garrick Club picture is a copy by an unknown artist of the original Reynolds now at Waddesdon Manor.