BNPS_UnseenBronteSistersSellsFor50K_01.jpg
BNPS.co.uk (01202 558833)
Pic: JPHumbert/BNPS.
L-r Emily, Charlotte and Anne Bronte.
Out of the shadows - could this be a previously unknown portrait of Britain's most famous literary sisters...
A "nationally important" unseen portrait of the Bronte sisters has sold for £50,000 more than 180 years later.
The watercolour painting is believed to be of Emily, Charlotte and Anne Bronte, painted in 1834 by a young Edwin Landseer, who struck up a friendship with the family, before he became Queen Victoria's favourite painter.
Only one other picture exists of the three sisters, who produced such classic' novels as Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre and Agnes Grey before two of them died tragically young.
The owner together with auctioneers J P Humbert have spent nine years extensively researching the artwork to find evidence that backs up their theory and convince academics.
The painting sold for £40,550 hammer price, £50,038 including buyers premium to a private art investor believed to be UK based who apparently plans to complete research on the portrait and re-sell it at a later date.
Pic: JPHumbert/BNPS.
L-r Emily, Charlotte and Anne Bronte.
Out of the shadows - could this be a previously unknown portrait of Britain's most famous literary sisters...
A "nationally important" unseen portrait of the Bronte sisters has sold for £50,000 more than 180 years later.
The watercolour painting is believed to be of Emily, Charlotte and Anne Bronte, painted in 1834 by a young Edwin Landseer, who struck up a friendship with the family, before he became Queen Victoria's favourite painter.
Only one other picture exists of the three sisters, who produced such classic' novels as Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre and Agnes Grey before two of them died tragically young.
The owner together with auctioneers J P Humbert have spent nine years extensively researching the artwork to find evidence that backs up their theory and convince academics.
The painting sold for £40,550 hammer price, £50,038 including buyers premium to a private art investor believed to be UK based who apparently plans to complete research on the portrait and re-sell it at a later date.
©JPHumbert 29 Mar 2013 1639x2194 / 424.7KB