1998A&A...339L..13L

We have obtained new BVR-band images of the gravitationally lensed QSO pair HE 2149-2745 A,B (QSO redshift z_e=2.033; angular separation θ_AB=1.71"), under 1" seeing conditions. Subtraction of a scaled point-spread-function reveals an extended object of angular size comparable to θ_AB, and R magnitude of 20.4 lying between and equidistant to the QSOs. The geometry of the system leads us to interpret this object as the lensing agent responsible for the double QSO images. A fit to the galaxy surface brightness profile indicates an elliptical galaxy, which is further supported by the absence of MgII in absorption. The lensing galaxy is not detected in B and V. We discuss possible lens models for this geometry constrained by our observations and consequences for the mass and redshift of the lens.