The Bronte Sisters’ Photograph: I Was Shocked At New Evidence

The Brontë Sisters wrote some of the finest works in the English language including Wuthering Heights, Jayne Eyre and The Tennant of Wildfell Hall.

Emily Brontë, Charlotte Brontë and Anne Brontë were celebrities of the mid 19th century - There are no known photos of them.

Or is there?

In this video we're going to look at some key research into a recently discovered photograph that just COULD be them. This is an update of a previous video which also includes some exciting NEW evidence.

Researchers and arm-chair detectives have poured over every bit of detail of this photograph and many believe it IS them.

Please join me whilst we investigate - Les Sours Brontë.

SPECIAL THANKS to Emily Ross - Independent Researcher.
SPECIAL THANKS ALSO to Caroline - VNI viewer and Bronte enthusiast.
Key research sources and further reading.
This is (what I understand to be) the original blog by the photo researcher who actually discovered the photograph. (Apologies in advance if I have got that wrong!) It’s incredibly well put together and a fascinating read.

whatsupwithbrontania - Wordpress blog

Making a Daguerrotype - A brilliant YouTube video.

The de-bunk by the Brontë Society.

You may also be interested in this Facebook group - it’s filled with Brontë enthusiasts and Victorian photo-sleuths.
The ‘Bronte Photo’ - Who Are These Women?

All images used are in the public domain and out of copyright with the two exceptions below noted.

1.
Images of the photograph in question (AKA Les Sours Brontë) have been treated as if in copyright - (some websites include a copyright credit.)
2.
The images of 'The Pillar Painting' have been treated as copyright of the National Portrait Gallery.
3.
The image of John Brown has been treated as copyright The Bronte Society/Parsonage.

These images have received on-screen acknowledgement, the images have been transformed, cropped and used in a lower resolution.

Care has been taken to comply with US fair use and UK fair dealing rules.

These copyrighted works have been used and shown solely for the purpose of criticism and review.

Fair Dealing.

"Fair dealing with a work for the purpose of criticism or review, of that or another work or of a performance of a work, does not infringe any copyright in the work provided that it is accompanied by a sufficient acknowledgement and provided that the work has been made available to the public."

Thank you so much for watching this video - we hope you enjoyed it. Please do subscribe - we'd love to see you again.

[MWGallaher]

When people try to identify someone in a photograph, they often overlook one of the most telling physical characteristics: the ear. Our ears often look almost identical to that of one of our parents (as opposed to a merger between our mother's and father's ears). In this photo, the visible portions of the ears of the women purported to be Emily and Anne appear to have a very distinctive and unusual "valley" along the bottom of the earlobe, beneath the opening of the ear. A similar feature can be seen on the ear of the known photograph of Patrick Bronte, providing further support for this being a photograph of the Bronte sisters.

[kithale]

I have twice visited Anne Bronte's grave in Scarborough. I tidied it up and put fresh flowers. It has a lovely view and Anne has the sound of the sea to calm her rest.

[johnjames-glover]

Great video. I was convinced by what you showed us last year, and if anything I'm even more convinced now. That photo IS of the Brontë sisters.

[anitasmith]

The photo overlays sold me alone. The ladies have VERY distinct features in the painting and those same distinct features are in the photo. I’m sold!

[emmikins]

What a great follow up, I think the Brontë Society need to climb down from their high horse and accept the evidence … well done you!

[WickedFelina]

While watching this I remembered the 1st time I read Wuthering Heights. I was walking home from school. Growing tired, I stopped to sit in the oldest cemetery in the city. There are tombs of the ministers of the 1st church in the city. As you spoke, I thought of Jenny Lind who performed in the city in 1850, for some reason? Then, you spoke of John Brown who cared for the cemetery where the Bronte family was buried. Very interesting, I thought. Then I thought, "Look up the 1st Church of Christ." It stated that Jenny Lind performed at the 1st Church of Christ when in Northampton. Here I was sitting in the cemetery where there are tombs of ministers and the very people who attended that church. Many who saw Jenny Lind, and most certainly read Wuthering Heights as I am doing right now! Very, VERY Nearly Interesting INDEED! Thank you!

[ravenel]

The Bronte Society quote is bizarre. Many people were poor in the 19th century but still got their picture taken same as we do today. It’s not a question of who wanted to photograph them, it’s that they wanted themselves to be photographed. They weren’t starving, they bought books and papers. And Charlotte had plenty of money by 1847-48, which is when I think this was taken. They were celebrating Charlotte publishing Jane Eyre, is what I think.

[carihislop]

I'm convinced! The known painting of Charlotte overlaid on the photograph was stunning. I hadn't come across the photo before today - I think the Bronte Society need to take another look.

[JULES-wx]

As Tabitha Ratcliffe talks about the photo on glass, it does sound more like she is referring to the mystery photograph rather than the photograph of the Pillar Portrait

[brianjaber]

Once again I find myself in need of a “Loved it” button because brother you did it again and brother, I LOVED IT! Please keep up the good work I really do look forward to it. One of these days you’re going to have to consider dropping the “Nearly” from your title.

[Rain-Peters]

I believe it’s the Brontë sisters wholeheartedly. Thanks for this.

[damienscabishop]

I think it’s them! It made me cry looking at their sweet faces! They were so passionate and brilliant and had such hard, sad lives. They made whole other worlds for themselves with their wonderful imaginations! 💛🌻💛🌻💛🌻

[pimpozza]

Brilliant follow-up!
19:48 The portrait of Charlotte resembles greatly the woman in the photo.. the nose, thinner upper lip, slight eyebrows, hair parting and that piercing stare.. Whilst she looks less drawn and strained in the painting, portraits usually flattered the subject, so it's pretty normal.. Charlotte's sketch of Anne is also very convincing and I love how you superimposed one over the other!
I am ever more believing this is a genuine photo of the Brontë sisters.. well done for the amazing research, Tez.. and to the other researchers and sleuths! 👏🙏 Loved this!! It's time the Brontë Society looked a little closer at the evidence! 🤷🏻‍♀️

[valerieoconnor]

Fascinating video! If it is Charlotte Bronte in the photo she was not the plain Jane she is so often portrayed as, rather a striking looking woman with beautiful eyes. Very interesting information, well done.

[maryarigho]

The Bronte Society has been far too dismissive from the start. The evidence is mounting that this is them.

[orionfoote]

This is quite riveting - as far as the update goes, I really do think the Bronte Society need to think long and hard about their stance on the matter, and at the very least should be looking very seriously into these findings.
The evidence is all extremely compelling in my view, and very well presented - great job👍

[KindaSassy]

Oh this video had be fascinated right from the start and then I worked my way through the comments too! New Fan of Channel - CONFIRMED.

[t.j.payeur]

Look at the character on the faces of those 3 women. I said the last time that if that's not the Bronte sisters than it certainly should be. It's them, man, not a doubt in my mind.

[markharrison]

Fantastic video really enjoyed it I haven't studied the painted portraits of the Bronte sisters before .... but I correctly identified Charlotte in the photograph from the group painting before you suggested it. The strong gaze is a give away. I think you make a very compelling case.

[myrarowlands]

Loved the video. Been there a good few years ago but nice to see it again. Makes me want to visit again. I don't live far away. I also definitely think the photo is of the Bronte Sisters, I can't understand how anyone can doubt it !!!