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At King Edward’s School’s Speech Day on Friday, 9th July, Chairman of Governors, Treasurer Peter Estlin, unveiled a fine oil portrait of Mr Bertie Mawer, commissioned to celebrate his extraordinary association with the School for more than 60 years .
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Bertie spent his entire teaching career at King Edward’s, joining in 1949 to teach English and History and became a Housemaster, Senior Master, and latterly Freeman of the City of London, and a Trustee of King Edward’s School Education Trust. He was one of the first Fellows of Bridewell Royal Hospital in 1999 and also Chairman of the School’s Arts Club, and is still actively engaged in fundraising, as well as being the School historian and a staunch supporter of the School.
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In March 2009, the School community, including many past pupils and colleagues, gathered to honour Bertie with a formal dinner and musical entertainment. He was presented with a number of gifts, the most significant of which was a surprise trip, with his wife, to attend an opera in Milan. The commissioning of the portrait was also made possible by the generosity of his friends, past pupils and colleagues, parents, governors and others associated with the School.
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The painting was executed by renowned international portrait artist, Jane Allison. Her work hangs in many private and public collections including those of the Queen in Windsor Castle. Recent commissions include portraits of HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, Lord Soulsby and the Archbishop of York.
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The portrait shows Bertie sitting in the School’s formal Bridewell Room, but it will take pride of place in the Bertie Mawer Room, named in his honour last year.
