Branwell Brontë spent time as a professional portrait painter, yet we have very few portraits of the Brontë sisters, and even fewer of Branwell himself. So what did Branwell look like?
As a burgeoning artist, Branwell turned to his family to be amongst his first subjects. He drew a portrait of his three surviving sisters, along with himself. An engraving was made of the original portait. Unsurprisingly, Branwell’s holding a gun; he was much enamoured with masculine exercises like hunting and boxing.
A photo was also taken.
Branwell made a portrait sketch of himself in later life (which you’ll see featured on the cover of The Life and Work of Branwell Brontë!)
This is a favoured angle for portraits, with a more polished and modern take using the same pose.
It’s the same angle that Branwell’s friend, J. B. Leyland, used when he created the infamous medallion of Branwell. This one is far more flattering, making Branwell look less like a quiet scholar and more a noble Roman patriarch.
Modern takes on Branwell take a different bent, unafraid of his rougher edges and substance abuse while refusing to downplay the artistic air that surrounded him.
And then, of course, there is perhaps the most famous of Branwell’s portraits. Which, ironically, barely features him. Branwell’s portrait of his sisters, which hangs in the National Portrait Gallery, once bore his likeness in a rough sketch before he decided to replace himself with a pillar, presumably for compositional reasons.
So what did Branwell Brontë look like? Most of the portraits agree on the basics. A short man, bespectacled, with a tall forehead and a mop of flaming hair. But as for the rest?
That’s left to our imagination.
And if you’re wondering what Branwell looked like on the inside, The Life and Work of Branwell Brontë reveals his secrets and gives you a chance to see just what sort of man was hidden behind the pillar. Find out more about Branwell Brontë.
The story of Branwell Brontë has been plagued by misconceptions, lies, and misunderstandings for decades. This incredible new volume seeks to set the record straight.
Discover the truth behind the myths of Branwell’s life, decline, and death. Find out why he doomed himself to anonymity by writing under a different name. Read his work, alongside critical analysis that reveals him to be both the ‘Problem Poet’ and the ‘Byron of Haworth’. And read his letters, collected here for the first time.
Learn the forgotten truth behind the Brontë brother.
★★★★★ “I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I recommend it to anyone who has an interest in the Bronte family and especially in the much maligned Branwell. It explains how some of the myths about him.”
★★★ “The book is very good indeed, and I think offers something for everyone. Certainly, Kelly's exploration of theological themes was very interesting, and has given me plenty to think about with my own work.”
★★★★★ “If you are interested in the Brontë writing family, then you must buy this book. It's interesting and informative.”
