Priya Kapoor
The Rice Portrait, a painting believed to be of Jane Austen, was created by Ozias Humphry in 1788 or 1789 when Austen was 13 years old. The owners of the portrait, which was originally attributed to Johann Zoffany, believe that it was commissioned by Austen's great-uncle, Francis Austen. The Rice Portrait was exhibited at Olympia in 1994 and put up for auction at Christie's in New York in 2007 but did not sell. Reproductions of the portrait are available for purchase, and prices may vary depending on the degree of customization and damage repair requested.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Ozias Humphry |
| Subject | Jane Austen |
| Year | 1788 or 1789 |
| Alternative Year | Early 19th Century |
| Owner | Henry Rice |
| Owner's Relationship to Subject | Great-Niece |
| Owner's Name | Fanny Caroline Lefroy |
| Owner's Relationship to Artist | N/A |
| Provenance | Thomas Austen, Elizabeth Harding-Newman |
| Materials | Oil Paint, Canvas |
| Dimensions | N/A |
| Frame | No Frame |
| Shipping Time | 21-28 Business Days |
| Add-Ons | Framing and Stretching Services |
| Returns | Repairs or Replacements |
| Authenticity | Certificate of Authenticity |
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What You'll Learn
- The Rice Portrait is a painting of Jane Austen, created in 1788 or 1789 when she was 13 years old
- The artist, Ozias Humphry, was known to Austen's family and had painted her great-uncle in 1780
- The Rice Portrait's authenticity is disputed, with some experts claiming it is from the early 19th century, not by Humphry
- In 1994, the portrait was exhibited at Olympia and offered to the National Portrait Gallery, which declined to buy it
- Reproductions of the Rice Portrait are available from 1st Art Gallery, hand-painted by skilled artists on canvas
The Rice Portrait is a painting of Jane Austen, created in 1788 or 1789 when she was 13 years old
In 1884, the portrait was used as an illustration in a collected edition of Austen's letters published by her relative, Lord Brabourne. In 1994, the portrait was exhibited at Olympia, and the then-owner, Henry Rice, offered it to the National Portrait Gallery, but they declined to purchase it. The Gallery's experts disputed the painting's authenticity, arguing that it dated to the early 19th century and thus could not depict Austen or be painted by Humphry. However, in 2012, digital analysis of photograph negatives from 1910 revealed that the signature of Ozias Humphry and the name "Jane Austen" were visible, supporting the claim that it is indeed a portrait of the novelist.
The Rice family has presented a body of evidence on their website, including scientific and conservation reports, to prove that the painting is of Austen. They address previous objections related to the dating of the costume, the identity of the sitter, and the canvas stamps on the back of the painting. The family has also discovered a letter allegedly written by Austen's great-niece, Fanny Caroline Lefroy, describing the history of the portrait. The portrait's provenance further strengthens its authenticity, as it is known to have passed from Thomas Austen, grandson of Francis Austen, to Elizabeth Harding-Newman in 1818, the year after Austen's death.
The Rice Portrait is a unique portrayal of a young Jane Austen and is believed to have been created when she was writing her earliest works. It captures her stance with an elongated arm holding a parasol, characteristic of Ozias Humphry's training as a miniaturist. The painting's background includes the river Stour flowing to the left of the big house, with stormy skies, and the same autumnal colors are used in both Jane and her sister Cassandra's portraits. The Rice Portrait provides a glimpse into the life of Jane Austen and is a valuable addition to our understanding of her life and work.
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The artist, Ozias Humphry, was known to Austen's family and had painted her great-uncle in 1780
The Rice Portrait, allegedly of a teenage Jane Austen, was painted by Ozias Humphry. Humphry was an acclaimed and sought-after miniaturist in his day and also painted in oils and crayons. He was appointed Portrait Painter in Crayons to the King in 1792.
Ozias Humphry was closely linked to the Austen family. His brother, William Humphry, was the Vicar of St Peters Church, Kemsing & Seal, close to Sevenoaks and Knole House. William Humphry was a neighbour of William Hampson Walter, the step-brother of Jane Austen's father, George. In 1780, the Duke of Dorset commissioned Ozias Humphry to paint a portrait of Francis Austen, George Austen's uncle and Jane Austen's great-uncle. Francis Austen was a wealthy lawyer in Sevenoaks and an agent for the Duke of Dorset.
In 1788, Jane Austen visited her great-uncle Francis Austen at his home, the Red House, with her family. It was probably during this visit that Francis Austen commissioned Ozias Humphry to paint portraits of Jane and her sister Cassandra. The Rice family has long believed that Ozias Humphry stayed at Godmersham Park in the autumn of 1788, where he executed sketches and drawings of backgrounds in the park.
The Rice Portrait was put up for auction at Christie's in New York in April 2007 but failed to reach its minimum estimate and was withdrawn from the sale. It was valued for insurance by Conall Macfarlane of Christie's in 1985, who detected Ozias Humphry's distinctive monogram on the painting. Conservator Eva Schwan examined and cleaned the Rice Portrait in 2010 and described the painting as 'probably the authentic portrait of Jane Austen' by Humphry.
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The Rice Portrait's authenticity is disputed, with some experts claiming it is from the early 19th century, not by Humphry
The Rice Portrait is a painting of a teenage girl in a long white dress carrying a green umbrella. It is believed by some to be a portrait of Jane Austen as a 13-year-old, painted by Ozias Humphry in 1788 or 1789. The owners of the portrait, the Rice family, insist that it was commissioned by Austen's great-uncle, Francis Austen, during a visit, and that it was passed down to them through the generations. They have pointed to Humphry's accounts from 1788, which list a bill to Francis Austen for 13 guineas, as evidence supporting their claim.
However, the authenticity of the Rice Portrait is disputed by experts, including those at the National Portrait Gallery. They argue that the painting dates to the early 19th century and thus cannot be of Austen or painted by Humphry. The style of the dress in the portrait is cited as evidence for this claim, suggesting that it is from a later period than the late 1780s. In 2007, when the portrait was put up for auction at Christie's in New York, it failed to sell due to doubts over its authenticity.
Further evidence casting doubt on the portrait's attribution to Humphry emerged in 2017, when a stamp discovered on the back of a separate painting titled "Mrs Smith" was found to match a stamp on the Rice Portrait. The marking is said to belong to an art supplier at the beginning of the 19th century, providing fresh questions about the provenance of the Rice Portrait. One expert claimed that the stamp nearly proves that the portrait cannot depict a young Austen as it is not from the right period.
Despite these disputes, some continue to argue for the authenticity of the Rice Portrait as a depiction of Jane Austen by Ozias Humphry. In 2012, digital photographic analysis revealed writing on the painting that appeared to show the name of Humphry and the date 1789, as well as the name "Jane Austen". The Rice family has also presented a note that may have been written by Austen's great-niece, Fanny Caroline Lefroy, which they believe provides further evidence for the portrait's authenticity. The family is pursuing a meeting with the director of the National Portrait Gallery to discuss the matter and hopes to sell the portrait if it is officially certified as being of Austen.
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In 1994, the portrait was exhibited at Olympia and offered to the National Portrait Gallery, which declined to buy it
The Rice Portrait, a painting believed to be of Jane Austen, was exhibited at Olympia in 1994. Henry Rice, the then owner, offered the portrait to the National Portrait Gallery, but they declined to purchase it. This was because, at the same time, the National Portrait Gallery had purchased a small sketch of Jane Austen, which they claimed was painted by Austen's sister, Cassandra. Thus, there was a potential conflict of interest. Furthermore, experts at the National Portrait Gallery disputed the painting's authenticity, arguing that it dated to the early 19th century and thus could not be of Austen or painted by the claimed artist, Ozias Humphry.
The Rice Portrait is believed by its owners and others to have been painted by Ozias Humphry in 1788 or 1789 when Austen was 13 years old. It was originally attributed to Johann Zoffany, but this attribution has since been corrected. The portrait's supporters contend that it was commissioned by Austen's great-uncle, Francis Austen, during a visit, and there is evidence that Francis Austen knew Humphry and had commissioned a portrait of himself by the artist in 1780. In 1884, the Rice Portrait was used as an illustration in a collected edition of Austen's letters published by her relative, Lord Brabourne.
In more recent years, forensic research has been conducted on the painting, using digital analysis of photograph negatives from 1910 held in the Heinz Archive & Library. This digital enhancement revealed the signature of Ozias Humphry and the name Jane Austen on the photograph, providing further evidence of the painting's authenticity. In 2019, a letter allegedly written by Jane Austen's great-niece, Fanny Caroline Lefroy, was revealed, describing the history of the portrait.
Despite the ongoing debate surrounding its authenticity, the Rice Portrait has failed to sell at auction. In 2007, it was put up for auction at Christie's in New York but did not find a buyer. The painting's reproductions are now available for purchase, meticulously hand-painted by skilled artists on canvas, following the original brushstroke style. These reproductions aim to ensure complete customer satisfaction and can be customised to the buyer's preferences.
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Reproductions of the Rice Portrait are available from 1st Art Gallery, hand-painted by skilled artists on canvas
The Rice Portrait, also known as the Portrait of Jane Austen 1775-1817, is an oil painting by Ozias Humphry. Reproductions of this painting are available from 1st Art Gallery, meticulously hand-painted on canvas by talented artists with at least 15 years of experience and advanced degrees in Fine Arts.
The 1st Art Gallery offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee, ensuring that your reproduction will not be shipped until you are completely satisfied with it. You can even choose a custom size for your favourite painting. Each reproduction comes with a free Certificate of Authenticity and free shipping directly to your door.
The artists at 1st Art Gallery only use the highest quality oil paint and the finest available canvas, sourcing their materials from brands that have been in business for at least a century. The most senior artists, those with at least 25 years of experience, carefully examine each painting that comes out of the studio, ensuring that every order meets their high standards.
In addition to their reproduction services, 1st Art Gallery also offers a costumed art service, transforming you, your loved ones, or even your pets into stunning works of art. You can also request modifications to classical paintings, such as changing the faces in a DaVinci painting to those of your choosing.
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