Note 99 — THE HÉGER PORTRAIT OF CHARLOTTE BRONTË IN THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY.
Reading edition
Through the courtesy of Professor Charles J. Holmes, the present Director of the National Portrait Gallery, I am able to print herewith the N.P.G. references to this portrait.
National Portrait Gallery Tablet on picture:—
Charlotte Brontë (Mrs. Arthur Bell Nicholls). 1816-1855. Novelist. Author of Jane Eyre and other works. Painted in 1850 by "Paul Héger." Purchased, July 1906.
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National Portrait Gallery Catalogue:—
Painted in water-colours in 1850, and stated to be by "Paul" (or Constantin) Héger, after an earlier portrait by her brother Branwell Brontë.
National Portrait Gallery Illustrated Catalogue:—
Water-colour drawing stated to be by "Paul" (or Constantin) Héger, after Branwell Brontë.
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I may add that the inverted commas used in regard to M. Héger's name are employed because "Paul" was not his common name. He was an active member of the Society of S. Vincent de Paul, and Charlotte Brontë portrayed him as M. Paul in her novel, Villette, commenced not later than the close of 1850 or the beginning of 1851.