Portrait Jane Austen

Jane Austen

by Cassandra Austen
pencil and watercolour, circa 1810
4 1/2 in. x 3 1/8 in. (114 mm x 80 mm)
Purchased with help from the Friends of the National Libraries, 1948
Primary Collection
NPG 3630

Sitter

Jane Austen (1775-1817), Novelist. Sitter associated with 5 portraits. 

Artist

Cassandra Austen (1773-1845). Artist associated with 4 portraits.

This portrait

This frank sketch by her sister and closest confidante Cassandra is the only reasonably certain portrait from life. Even so, Jane's relatives were not entirely convinced by it: 'there is a look which I recognise as hers', her niece wrote, 'though the general resemblance is not strong, yet as it represents a pleasing countenance it is so far a truth.'collections/Jane-Austen

Jane Austen

by Unknown artist
hollow-cut silhouette, circa 1810-1815
4 in. x 3 1/8 in. (102 mm x 80 mm)
Purchased, 1944
Primary Collection
NPG 3181

Sitter

Jane Austen (1775-1817), Novelist. Sitter associated with 5 portraits. 

Artist

Unknown artist. Artist associated with 6137 portraits.

This portrait

Jane Austen's third published novel (Mansfield Park), appeared in 1814, although it had been begun in 1811. This copy contained a silhouette in the back and the second volume inscribed L'aimable Jane, which may represent Jane Austen. As her biographer, R.W. Chapman, said 'Who would insert, in a copy of Mansfield Park, a portrait of any other Jane than its author?'

collections/Jane-Austen