11 Comments
User's avatar
Libby Miner's avatar

I like Cassandra's version. I think of it as really her but we may never know. I hope to see Chawton in person someday!

Expand full comment
Jane Austen's Niece's avatar

I like Cassandra's sketch too. It may not look quite like her, but I believe it's close.

Expand full comment
Helen Poore's avatar

I like the Adam Roud sculpture, every time I go past it in Basingstoke I stop to say hello.

Expand full comment
Jane Austen's Niece's avatar

Yes, it's lovely to have a full-size version of Adam's sculpture. The face on his Basingstoke statue is different from the Chawton version and easy to image as Jane.

Expand full comment
Dorothy E Willis's avatar

I don't think any of them are very good likenesses. It is sad to think of how many times Cassandra must have used her sister as a model -- as Emma used Miss Taylor -- and only one survives.

I hope this post meets your standards.

Expand full comment
Jane Austen's Niece's avatar

I hadn't thought of that - I wonder how many drawings Cassandra did of Jane?

Expand full comment
Dorothy E Willis's avatar

Emma says, "Mrs. Weston again, and again, and again, you see. Dear Mrs. Weston! always my kindest friend on every occasion. She would sit whenever I asked her." Whenever I read that line I wonder if we are hearing a variation of something Cassandra said.

Expand full comment
Jane Austen's Niece's avatar

What a lovely thought, I hadn't made the connection to Cassandra. That's what I love about Jane Austen....it doesn't matter how long I've known her, there are always new thoughts and interesting observations about her life and work that I haven't considered before. I will never bore of hearing other people's perspectives!

Expand full comment
Michele's avatar

I love Cassandra's version. Even if Cassandra was not a trained portraitist IT is the only one we are sure of JANE actually sat for. I will be in Chawton this May as part of the JASNA tour. Will you be around, Caroline?

Expand full comment
Jane Austen's Niece's avatar

Unfortunately, I won't be there until June. Watch out for my Dad, Jeremy Knight, he's often at the house. Have a lovely time, is it your first visit?

Expand full comment
Isabella Ann's avatar

This was so interesting to read, thank you for sharing. 😊 I never knew that the painting of Jane Austen by James Andrew was done 53 years after her death!

Expand full comment