Portrait of Maria Taylor of Stanbury

Branwell Brontë (1817 - 1848)

Bronte Parsonage Museum

circa 1838-1839

Maria Taylor was the daughter of Stephen Taylor of the Manor House at Stanbury. Mr Taylor was a trustee of Haworth Church and instrumental in Patrick Brontë's appointment to the living. Maria was a friend to Charlotte Brontë, Branwell's sister. It is believed that the painting was originally a full-length portrait, which must have represented a valuable commission for Branwell as he set out to create a career for himself as a portrait painter.

• Medium: oil on canvas
• Dimensions: 58.9 x 49.8cm
• Art Fund Grant: £1719 ( Total: £7,343)
• ArtFunded in: 2007
• Vendor: Bonhams

Provenance

By descent through the sitter's family. Previously on loan to Bronte Parsonage Museum.

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