Norman Hepple

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Norman Hepple
Born(1908-05-18)18 May 1908
London, England
Died3 January 1994(1994-01-03) (aged 85)
London, England
NationalityBritish
Education
  • Royal Academy Schools
Known forPainting, drawing

Robert Norman Hepple RA RP (18 May 1908 – 3 January 1994) was an English portrait painter, engraver and sculptor, best known for his portraits of the British royal family.[1] He was elected a member of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters in 1948 and served as their president from 1979 to 1983. Elected as an Associate Member to the Royal Academy of Arts in 1954, Hepple became an Academician in 1961.[2]

Biography

Early life

Hepple was born in London and was the son of the painter Robert Watkin Hepple and the nephew of Wilson Hepple, the animal painter from Northumbria. Hepple studied at

Sir Walter Russell, where he obtained a scholarship in engraving.[3][4] During the 1930s Hepple illustrated the books of the Shropshire novelist Mary Webb.[5]

World War II

Canadian Fireman, Overseas Contingent (1944) (Art.IWM ART LD 4721)

At the start of the Second World War Hepple joined the Auxiliary Fire Service, which in 1941 became the National Fire Service, NFS, and served as a fire-fighter during the London Blitz. A number of other artists had joined the NFS and a firemen artists' committee had been formed which included Leonard Rosoman, Bernard Hailstone, Paul Lucien Dessau and Robert Coram. As well as contributing to both War Artists' Advisory Committee, WAAC, and specialist civil defence art shows, the firemen held several of their own exhibitions. WAAC initially purchased two paintings by Hepple, one in 1940 and another in 1941. In 1943 WAAC commissioned a series of drawings from Hepple of NFS personnel and were to purchase another five paintings, including a fine portrait of a Canadian fire-fighter, from him before the war ended.[6] At least one painting by Hepple was included in the firemen artists exhibitions that toured America during the war.[7]

Post-war career

After the war Hepple resumed his career as a professional artist. In 1950 he designed a poster for

Prince Philip and of the Queen Mother, who sat for him for four separate commissions.[8] His 1978 portrait of Queen Elizabeth was adapted for use on banknotes issued in Jersey.[4] Hepple was elected a member of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters in 1948[9] and served as their president from 1979 to 1983. The New English Art Club elected Hepple as a member in 1950.[9] He was elected as an Associate Member to the Royal Academy of Arts in 1954, and became a full Academician in 1961.[2] Failing eyesight eventually curtailed his painting career. He died from injuries he received after being run over by a motorist whilst returning to his home in Richmond in London from a meeting at the Royal Academy.[10]

References

  1. ^ "Obituaries: Norman Hepple, Portrait Painter,85". The New York Times. 17 January 1994. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  2. ^
    ISBN 0-95326-095-X
    .
  3. ISBN 1-85149-106-6
    .
  4. ^
    ISBN 978-0-19-992305-2. Retrieved 14 January 2014. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help
    )
  5. ISBN 1-85149-108-2
    .
  6. ^ "War Artists archive, Norman Hepple". Imperial War Museum. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  7. ^ "Exhibition by London Fire Brigade in USA". Imperial War Museum. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  8. ^
    ISBN 2-7000-3076-1
    .
  9. ^ a b Grant M. Waters (1975). Dictionary of British Artists Working 1900–1950. Eastbourne Fine Art.
  10. ^ John Ward (15 January 1994). "Obituary:Norman Hepple". The Independent. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2014.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Norman Hepple.
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