Marie Antoinette's: Jane Austen: A Woman's Wit


Isabel Bishop (1902–1988), "Scene from Pride and Prejudice: 'The examination of all the letters which Jane had written to her.'" 20th century, Pen and black ink, gray wash, over pencil. The Morgan Library & Museum. Photography by Schecter Lee, 2009.

I visited the Morgan Library & Museum and saw their wonderful exhibition all about Jane Austen! There were censored letters she had written, portraits and drawings, unpublished manuscripts and a peek at how Jane Austen pictured Mrs. Bingley.

Jane Austen (1775–1817), Autograph letter signed, dated Godmersham, 20–22 June 1808, to Cassandra Austen. Purchased by J. P. Morgan, Jr., 1920. The Morgan Library & Museum.

"A Woman’s Wit: Jane Austen's Life and Legacy" was an excellent exhibition hosted by The Morgan Library & Museum from November 6, 2009, through March 14, 2010. Heather has already posted a great review of the show, so to that I would like to add my favorite parts. Anyone doing research on Austen should include The Morgan in their pursuits. The Morgan Library & Museum owns many pieces of correspondence from Jane Austen, so they were able to research and put together a very intimate look at her life. Here is what I found.

The Morgan pulled out many treasures from the collection and archive, but began the exhibit with some art by Rowlandson. The comedic little cartoons instantly set a tone for me, humor and of course, wit! I was already smiling by the time I turned the first corner.

The collection boasts several letters by Jane written to family and friends. Morgan seemingly went through an Austen phase and had the means to do something about it. He was able to swipe up many of her correspondences, and voila. Now we can see them in one space! You will notice the browning paper, the practically perfect penmanship and of course the censuring from prudish family. I still want to know just what Ms Austen thought of Edward.

William Blake, Portrait of Mrs. Q (Mrs. Harriet Quentin). 1820, Stipple etching/engraving with mezzotint, printed in dark brown on wove paper. The Morgan Library & Museum.

I was struck by the letter Austen wrote 24 May, 1813 about a portrait she saw by Blake. She remarked that it was just how she pictured Jane Bennet. From the letter:

"Mrs Bingley is exactly herself, size, shaped face, features & sweetness; there never was a greater likeness. She is dressed in a white gown, with green ornaments, which convinces me of what I had always supposed, that green was a favourite colour with her."

The letters were displayed with care on the walls, behind glass so you could get close to them. Not to sound too silly but it was quite a treat. I went round the room counterclockwise, and my final stop was at a section called The Art of Letter Writing. If you have been reading the blog you will know I am very much interested in the art of letter writing, yet neglect to practice my art often enough!


	Anonymous, British school (nineteenth century), Miniature portrait of Jane Austen. Watercolor on ivory [England]. The Morgan Library & Museum.


Jane Austen (1775–1817) Autograph note, listing the dates of composition of her novels Purchased by J. P. Morgan, Jr., 1925; MA 1034.4 Images provided by DIAMM on behalf of Jane Austen’s Holograph Fiction MSS: A Digital and Print Edition.

Jane Austen (1775–1817) Autograph note, listing the dates of composition of her novels Purchased by J. P. Morgan, Jr., 1925; MA 1034.4 Images provided by DIAMM on behalf of Jane Austen’s Holograph Fiction MSS: A Digital and Print Edition.

Jane Austen (1775–1817) Autograph note, listing the profits of her novels, ca. 1817 Purchased by J. P. Morgan, Jr., 1925; MA 1034.5 Images provided by DIAMM on behalf of Jane Austen’s Holograph Fiction MSS: A Digital and Print Edition.