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.'

Related works

NPG D13873: Jane Austen (after)

Linked publications

Audio Guide
I-Spy National Portrait Gallery, 2010, p. 29
Cooper, John, Visitor's Guide, 2000, p. 67
Cooper, John, A Guide to the National Portrait Gallery, 2009, p. 33
Eger, Elizabeth; Peltz, Lucy, Brilliant Women: 18th Century Bluestockings, 2008 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 13 March to 15 June 2008), p. 135
Eger, Elizabeth; Peltz, Lucy, Brilliant Women: 18th Century Bluestockings, 2008 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 13 March to 15 June 2008), p. 135
Holmes, Richard, Insights: The Romantic Poets and Their Circle, 2005, p. 98
Holmes, Richard; Crane, David; Woof, Robert; Hebron, Stephen, Romantics and Revolutionaries: Regency portraits from the National Portrait Gallery, 2002, p. 75
Rogers, Malcolm, Master Drawings from the National Portrait Gallery, 1993 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 5 August to 23 October 1994), p. 11
Saumarez Smith, Charles, The National Portrait Gallery: An Illustrated Guide, 2000, p. 108
Saumarez Smith, Charles, The National Portrait Gallery, 1997, p. 108
Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 24
Walker, Richard, Miniatures: 300 Years of the English Miniature, 1998, p. 95
Walker, Richard, Regency Portraits, 1985, p. 16
Woof, Robert; Hebron, Stephen, Romantic Icons, 1999, p. 69
Woof, Robert; Hebron, Stephen, Romantic Icons, 1999, p. 69

Subjects & Themes

Eminent women tour
Hats and head-attire
Highlights tour
Regency tour
Writers tour