Welcome to the website for the Rice Portrait - a portrait of a young Jane Austen, painted by Ozias Humphry in 1789.
Introduction to the rice portrait
The Rice Portrait is the only oil painting of Jane Austen in existence. Owned by the Rice family, descendants of Jane Austen’s brother Edward Austen Knight, it is a unique and beautiful portrayal of a young Jane Austen, painted in 1789, when she was writing her earliest works.
In these pages we present the substantial and ever-growing body of evidence which proves this is a painting of Jane Austen. Read about the comprehensive provenance for the Rice Portrait back to Jane Austen’s generation and to people who had known Jane Austen personally. Also available are the scientific reports and conservation reports which provide conclusive proof that the artist is Ozias Humphry. Previous objections relating to the dating of the costume, the identity of the sitter and the canvas stamps on the back of the painting are comprehensively dealt with.
The evidence presented on this website establishes beyond doubt that the Rice Portrait is indeed a painting of Jane Austen as the owners have always believed.
© Eva Schwan, Paintings Conservator M.A.
A PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN WATERCOLOUR OF THE RICE PORTRAIT OF JANE AUSTEN
Startling new evidence has recently emerged in favour of the Rice Portrait of Jane Austen, in the form of a previously unknown Victorian watercolour. The watercolour was purchased at a second-hand shop in London by a member of the public who, realising that it was a copy of the Rice Portrait, contacted the owners. Click on the image (right) to read more about this amazing new discovery.
Occam’s Razor or the principle of parsimony - The theory that requires the least speculation is usually correct.
Applying this principle to the Rice Portrait, there is only one possible conclusion - the Rice Portrait is a portrait of Jane Austen painted by Ozias Humphry. If you want read more about the balance sheet of evidence for and against this portrait, then please click HERE
We have redesigned the website and added a great deal of new information about the Rice Portrait and its history. We hope you enjoy it!