The Brontë Sisters

What it is

This painting shows the three Brontë sisters, Anne, Emily and Charlotte Brontë, painted by their brother Branwell Brontë around 1834. It is held by the National Portrait Gallery. Known as the 'Pillar Portrait', it originally included a fourth figure, Branwell himself, which he later painted over.

Why it matters

This is the only surviving group portrait of the three sisters together, made at home by a family member rather than a professional painter commissioned for public display. That Branwell removed his own image hints at his complicated place within the family, years before his sisters became famous authors.

Look closer

• What differences can you see in how each sister is dressed or posed?
• Why might Branwell have painted himself out of the picture later?
• What does a family-made portrait show that a professional commission might not?