The Bronte Sisters - A True Likeness?

 

 

 

 Two 'alleged' portraits of Emily Bronte have recently been entered in auctions

News of a third ‘Bronte portrait’ in almost as many months is certain to be viewed with a touch of scepticism. But this find is different. It is not a painting, but a photograph, and it claims to depict not one, but all three Sisters. As no photos exist – apart from one of Charlotte - this would be the first true likeness of the Bronte Sisters. 

If this were proved right it would be a truly remarkable find.Despite distinct similarities to the Sisters, and many tantalising clues, the photo still lacks that final piece of hard evidence. Because of this it remains unauthenticated.
 

 

The research is presented here to give members of the Bronte Society and Bronte researchers the opportunity to judge whether this is a genuine photograph. 

They may be able to correct errors or help with information.Hopefully at some stage in the future it will be either authenticated or dismissed as an image of the Bronte Sisters.

 

 

Research set off to a bad start. The Bronte Museum had never seen the photo and with no photos of Emily or Anne to compare, they couldn’t authenticate it. Experts thought it unlikely to be a copy of an 1840s photo. It was a real conundrum. 
Gradually, over twelve months, the history behind this photograph has yielded some of its secrets. Most of the initial questions have been answered, but it has created dozens more and further research could carry on for years.This website brontesistersphoto has been created to list the findings to date. The history of the Bronte Sisters merges into the history of photography and the results are quite intriguing.