Jane Austen: Wax Figure Most Accurate Ever Due

to Forensic TechnologiesLuisa Florez

According to an article recently completed by The Guardian, a wax working of Jane Austen completed for The Jane Austen Centre located in her hometown of Bath is likely to be the most accurate depiction of the Pride and Prejudice author to be finished in the last two hundred years. The work was put on display last Wednesday at the center, where it will remain.

Forensic artist Melissa Dring, who uses forensic sciences, technologies and techniques to complete wax representations of prominent figures, completed the piece; design and construction took over three years to complete. For inspiration behind the sketch that would serve as the foundation upon which the figure was built, Dring focused on the only existing declared accurate portrait of the author known to date—a depiction completed by Jane’s sister Cassandra in 1810. However, upon looking at the portrait and comparing the portrayal to eye-witness accounts from Austen’s family and friends, Dring couldn’t help but feel there was a disconnect between the Jane pictured and the usual description of her disposition.

In essence, Dring said that, in the portrait completed by Cassandra Austen, Jane looked as if she had been “sucking on lemons,” with a bit of a sour and dour look upon her face. However, all accounts of Jane in her day-to-day life contradict this sentiment. James Edward Austen-Leigh, Jane’s nephew, described his aunt in his memoir as having an appearance expressive of health and animation. Among this description, Dring also pulled several basic facts about the structure of Austen’s facial features. Austen-Leigh states that Austen was very attractive and of tall and slender build; her step was light, but firm.

Both Austen-Leigh and his sister Caroline agreed upon several key facets. Caroline also believed Jane to be attractive, as she states that her aunt’s was the first face she can recall entitling as “pretty.” They both also agreed that Austen’s eyes were notable for their brightness and beautiful hazel coloring. Her hair was a dark brown and fell to natural curls around her face. Caroline also specifically mentioned Austen’s complexion, saying that it was not of a pinkish hue, but of a darker, more brown variety, yet still managing to be bright and give off the appearance of being lively in disposition.