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L'aimable Jane, a portrait of Jane Austen

This is a painting of Jane Austen which is based on the well known silhouette that was found in a second edition of Mansfield Park, inscribed "l'aimable Jane". The original silhouette is owned by the National Portrait Gallery, who believe it is dated around 1800 and possibly by Mrs Collins, a silhouettist who worked in Bath at that time. There is no firm evidence to confirm that it is Jane, but it seems quite likely. Unfortunately, reproductions always make the details a little too dark. My original painting is lighter and she looks less like she is wearing mascara. Perhaps I shall have to do another version. Well, I hope you find it interesting!