See Emily at home: Portrait by Branwell Brontë comes to the Museum

We’re pleased to partner with the National Portrait Gallery to display one of the only surviving likenesses of Emily Brontë – Branwell Brontë’s ‘Gun Group’ portrait – here at the Museum.

After his ‘Pillar Portrait’ of his three sisters, Branwell’s best-known painting is his profile portrait of Emily – the last fragment of a family group composition known as the ‘Gun Group’, painted when Branwell was about seventeen years old. Today, this painting is among the most popular works in London’s National Portrait Gallery.

'This fragment of a painting by Branwell Brontë is a significant work as it features a rare depiction of his sister Emily Brontë. The complete painting, which originally included Charlotte, Anne and Branwell himself, was inherited by Charlotte's widower, Arthur Bell Nicholls. Nicholls didn't believe the other three portraits were good likenesses, so he tore out this fragment, which is believed to be Emily Brontë, and destroyed the rest. The fragment was found on top of a cupboard years later, along with the famous Pillar Portrait, which is the only surviving artwork of the three sisters together.' 

- Ann Dinsdale, Principal Curator

'This year is really special as Bradford celebrates its City of Culture status, and Haworth is part of Bradford. The portrait is usually in the National Portrait Gallery in London, where thousands of visitors see it every year. It was important for us to bring the portrait to Bradford now, so that local people could see the artwork in their city as part of the celebrations.' 

- Rebecca Yorke, Director

This very special loan will be on display at the Brontë Parsonage Museum from 1 August until 31 October 2025.