I have been a Brontë member and interested in the Brontës since 1996. As an artist, I've done portraits for 20+ years after I studied art and graduated with honors from a University in Pennsylvania -- portraiture being my proficiency. This past summer, I visited Haworth for my first time, and returned from my trip with a vivid picture of what life may have been like for the Brontës. From a suggestion of a Bronte Society staff member, I decided to do my own portrait interpretations of the sisters. I decided to do Branwell also, as so few exist.

As most artists have represented Charlotte somewhat prettier, I wanted to come up with a more contemporary rendering, according to my research. I believe Charlotte was plainer than previously depicted by Richmond. No one ever wants their portrait to represent them less attractive as they really are, or with flaws that they might physically have. Charlotte in her own words, was not attractive, but plain. I believe 1800's portraiture was the only way of representation before photography came to birth in the mainstream. So, I wanted to do an interpretation as to how they might realistically appear….or at least a contemporary version, as opposed to what we have seen in past depicitions.

Here was my process:

For all three sisters, I began with their mother Maria's existing picture when she was 15. Branwell's depiction (Pillar Portrait) of the three girls seems to also resemble their mother at approximately the same age. There is an obvious similarity in the shape of the faces and noses. I used Maria's features from Branwell's early painting, descriptions from various books regarding eye color, facial structure, hair, etc., as my guideline.

For Anne: I primarily used profile drawings done by Charlotte when Anne was younger, and left her hair in the same style as Charlotte portrayed her. I have read descriptions that Anne also had a receding chin. Her complexion was porcelain and her eyes, violet/blue.

For Branwell: Carrot color mane, spectacles, small eyes, large Roman nose (as father Patrick), here on right........

I worked from these two existing profiles of Branwell -- his self-portrait profile sketch, and this profile on the right, that hangs in the dining room at the Brontë Parsonage.

After completing each drawing in pencil, I then colorized them individually on the computer. For the backdrop, I superimposed my painting of the moors. My final conception as to how they may have looked…..
	Charlotte, Emily and Anne	and Branwell....

If interested, portrait prints and bookmarks are available
by contacting the artist at: bjtanke@yahoo.com

Professionally laminated bookmarks of each Brontë has a corresponding work on the backside, (i.e., Charlotte's poem 'LIFE') Life, believe, is not a dream So dark as sages say; Oft a little morning rain Foretells a pleasant day........ Clouds of gloom, But these are transient all; If the shower will make the roses bloom, O why lament its fall? Rapidly, merrily, Life’s sunny hours flit by. Gratefully, cherrily, Enjoy them as they fly! What though Death at times steps in, And calls our Best away? What though sorrow seems to win, O’er hope, a heavy sway? Yet hope again elastic springs, Unconquered, though she fell; Still bouyant are her golden wings, Still strong to bear us well. Manfully, fearlessly, The day of trial bear, For gloriously, victoriously, Can courage quell despair! Brontë Site Home Page web design and all images by bjtanke