The Wilford Archive
Millennium Portrait Story
As a result of discussions which started in September 1998, the Company agreed in May 1999 to mark the forthcoming Millennium
by commissioning Peter Mennim to paint a portrait of Members attending a reception in the Great Hall – see left his preliminary sketch of his proposal.
Peter Mennim, an accomplished artist and illustrator was chosen as the artist, as he had completed a similar large portrait for another client. Peter was the son of Michael Mennim (Merchant Taylors Master 1972) and great grandson of William Allen (Master 1922).
To allay any fears amongst Members, that the individuals in the painting would not be recognisable, Peter prepared a sample portrait of Michael Mennim and Dick Gardner as an example of his work – see thumbnail. On seeing that, any reservations Members had were quickly overcome, as they were instantly recognisable
Preliminary Sketch
Peter arranged for each Member to meet him in turn at the Hall, where his assistant gave each a wine glass (empty!) to hold and become engaged in animated conversation, whilst Peter took a number of photos from different angles. These photos provided the facial features for Peter to use in his portraits of individual Members. It also provided the opportunity for him to meet each Member and make an assessment of their character, which he could then portray in the painting.
The Millennium Portrait was delivered to the Company in January 2000
The Members were delighted with the painting, its composition, colour and, indeed, the instantly recognisable portraits of the Members of the Company. With Dennis Wombell’s advice, it was suitably framed behind non-reflecting glass and hung in the Blue Hall.
Consequently, Peter commented on the huge amount of time it had taken to compose the work, and painting each face took him an hour or two!
It was agreed that the quality of the work fully justified the total cost of £9,000. The cost was met by donations of £100 from most Members, who each received an A3-sized print of the Portrait. A framed, numbered Key is hanging alongside the Portrait to identify those portrayed.
The Company’s archives contain individual photos of the majority of Members, which Peter used to paint the individual faces. Many of the photos are not very complimentary – eyes shut, etc. – but Peter doubtless saw them as capturing the essential features he needed for his artwork.
Michael Oakley (second from right in the small group at the front) is shown wearing the newly purchased Master’s Jewel, which is in the form of the Merchant Taylors’ Arms and hallmarked for the year 2000 – another way in which the Company marked the Millennium.
GAW March 2023