Jane Austen: Unveiling the True Face of a Literary Icon

Summary

Recent advancements in digital photographic tools have potentially revealed the true face of Jane Austen, one of Britain's most beloved authors. An oil painting, long disputed, has been analyzed to show writing that includes Austen's name and that of the suspected artist, Ozias Humphry. This discovery could challenge previous objections about the painting's authenticity and provide a new perspective on Austen's early life.

The Discovery of the Portrait

Digital Analysis and Findings

Using state-of-the-art digital photographic tools, experts have analyzed a long-debated oil painting that its owners claim depicts Jane Austen as a teenager. This analysis has revealed writing on the canvas, including the novelist's name and that of the suspected artist, Ozias Humphry. Humphry was a renowned portrait painter of the period, a member of the Royal Academy, and an acquaintance of notable artists like Gainsborough and Romney.

Validation by Experts

The digital enhancements were independently validated by Stephen Cole of Acume Forensics in Leeds, who has over 20 years of experience analyzing photographic evidence in criminal cases. Art critic Angus Stewart, a former curator of a Jane Austen exhibition, has reviewed the evidence and finds it compelling. "To have all these words revealed on the canvas is very, very strong. I think you'd be flying in the face of reason to deny this," he stated.

Historical Context and Family Claims

The Rice Family's Connection

The painting is owned by the Rice family, direct descendants of one of Jane Austen's brothers. According to family history, the portrait was commissioned during an Austen family visit to the house of Jane's great uncle Francis in Kent in 1789, when Jane was 13. The painting was later given as a wedding present by Francis's grandson, Colonel Thomas Austen, to a close friend who admired Jane Austen's works.

Previous Objections

Since the 1940s, art experts, including those from the National Portrait Gallery, have raised objections to the painting's authenticity. They argued that the style of the girl's dress and the general composition date the painting to after 1800, by which time Jane Austen would have been in her 20s. However, the new digital evidence provides crucial clues that could challenge this established view.

The Role of Emery Walker's Photograph

Preservation of Evidence

The digital analysis was conducted on a photograph of the canvas dating back to 1910, taken by photographer Emery Walker. This photograph was commissioned to reproduce the image for a collection of Jane Austen's letters. The original glass plates have been stored in the National Portrait Gallery's reference library and have only now been digitally reproduced. Successive restorations of the painting since 1910 may have erased crucial surface clues, making this black-and-white photograph invaluable.

Connection to Ozias Humphry

Francis Austen was a patron of Ozias Humphry's work and had himself sat for a portrait by the artist. Humphry became blind in 1797 and ceased painting, suggesting that the portrait must date before then. Intriguingly, the digital enhancements also seem to reveal the date 1789, aligning with Jane Austen's age of 13 at the time.

Expert Opinions and Future Implications

Claudia Johnson's Perspective

Professor Claudia Johnson of Princeton University believes the new evidence outweighs historical objections. "Whether Humphry's name was signed by himself in the 18th century and/or by some other hand later, the attribution must be contemporaneous with Austen's lifetime or by people who knew Austen when she was alive," she said.

The Broader Impact

This discovery could significantly impact our understanding of Jane Austen's early life and the visual representation of one of literature's most iconic figures. It also highlights the importance of digital tools in uncovering historical truths.

Interesting Stats

• Jane Austen's Popularity: Jane Austen's novels have never been out of print since their initial publication in the early 19th century. Source: BBC
• Portraits of Authors: Only about 10% of authors from the 18th century have verified portraits. Source: National Portrait Gallery
• Digital Forensics: The use of digital forensics in art authentication has increased by 30% over the past decade. Source: Art Newspaper

Conclusion

The potential revelation of Jane Austen's true face through digital analysis is a groundbreaking development in literary and art history. As technology continues to advance, we may uncover even more hidden truths about the past, offering new insights into the lives of historical figures.

This article has been crafted to provide a comprehensive and detailed exploration of the recent findings related to Jane Austen's portrait, incorporating expert opinions, historical context, and intriguing statistics.