Is This Jane Austen?

[poliphilo]

This is the Rice portrait of the teenage Jane Austen which is being sold at Christie's today. 

Is it authentic ? 

Hmmmmmm. 

It's supported by oral tradition but...

...Some people think the frock is all wrong for the 1780s.

Short of going back in a Tardis we're never going to know.

But it's pretty, isn't it?

Comments

[oakmouse]

"Girls also were in the habit of making and trimming their own clothing"

Excellent point, of course, and we know Jane did so; she was famed for her skills with a needle and for making beautiful clothing.