Nick Fogg unveiled – or his portrait, by Royal artist Rupert Alexander anyway

Acclaimed Royal portrait artist Rupert Alexander has captured three time Mayor Nick Fogg, in full mayoral regalia, on canvas and his portrait was unveiled earlier today in the Town Hall by Dame Sarah Troughton DCVO, HM Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire.

The portrait of Councillor Nicholas Fogg MBE FRSA shows Councillor Fogg during his Mayoral year of 2023-2024. It is believed to be the first time a Mayor of Marlborough has sat for a portrait in full mayoral regalia since the role was created when Marlborough received its first charter in 1204.

Nick is sitting in exalted and esteemed company. Previous sitters for Rupert Alexander include Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip and King Charles III (when Prince of Wales). Rupert Alexander was Nick’s choice as artist in residence for his third mayoral term. As well as his studio in London, he could now almost be described as being ‘local’ as he and his family moved from London to a village in the Pewsey Vale, not far from both Pewsey and Marlborough several years ago and created a dedicated studio adjacent to the house.

Now regarded as one of this country’s foremost portrait painters, Rupert Alexander studied at Chelsea College of Art, the Florence Academy of Art and Charles H. Cecil Studios. At the age of just 23 he became the youngest artist since the 18th century to paint members of the Royal Family when he painted both (then) HRH Prince of Wales and his father HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh for the Royal Warrant Holders Association. But it was his portrait of the Queen that set him apart from contemporary portrait painters.

And now Nick Fogg. As well as having served three times as Mayor across recent decades – the first being in 1985 – Nick’s most well known contribution to Marlborough was probably as creator and impresario of the International Jazz Festival, which took over the town for a weekend every summer across three decades, the first being held in 1986. He was also involved in the creation of the Marlborough Literary Festival, now in its sixteenth year, the annual event that also captures the Town for a weekend, but at the end of each September. And numerous other major annual events of the Town, such as Open Studios, all of which are now established as major attractions in the Town’s calendar and bring visitors in to the area.

Beyond Marlborough Nick is acclaimed as an author of many historical tomes, but particularly as an authority on The Bard, having penned numerous books on our greatest playwright. And on an even wider platform an advisor to the InterAction Council, an international non-profit organisation that brings together many former world leaders, setting out to foster co-operation and positive action around the world. That’s Nick, a true polymath, now captured for ever by one of the most acclaimed portrait painters of our time.