Miss Gertrude Anna Bertha Hermes OBE

Born 18 August 1901
Died 13 May 1983

Active: 1927 - 1951

Country of birth and death: England

Sculptor, designer, printmaker

Born Altena, Bickley, Kent. She was the daughter of Louis August Hermes (1866-1949, born in Germany) was a textile dealer and artistic director of Sambrook Whitting, manufacturers of patterned silkwear. Gertrude was married to the wood-engraver and print-maker, Blair Rowlands Hughes-Stanton (1902–1981) from 1926-1933 (divorced). Engraver, designer and sculptor of figures and portraits. Studied at Beckenham School of Art 1919-20 and with Leon Underwood 1922-26. Worked as wood-engraver and designer in 1920s and 30s. Various commissions in Canada and United States 1940-45.

Taught wood-engraving and animal drawing at Central School of Art from 1948; also taught at St. Martin’s School of Art, Camberwell School of Art and Royal Academy schools. Made series of portrait busts of writers. A.R.A. 1963. R.A. 1971. Died in Bristol.

Commissions include: Three Swans for Ashburton Housing Estate, London 1960-61; Peacock for Ordsall School, Manchester 1961.

Exhibitions include: exhibited carvings and portraits in bronze at Royal Academy and with London Group from 1934.

Collections include: Tate Gallery; National Portrait Gallery, London; Arts Council; British Council; Victorian and Albert Museum, London.

Further reading: K. Deepwell, Ten Decades: Careers of Ten Women Artists born 1897-1906, Norwich Gallery, Norfolk Institute of Art and Design, 30 March – 16 May 1992, (exh. cat.).

Biography from Whiteley (2001) with additional information from Hamilton (2004)

Wealth at death: £52,449 0s. 0d.
Probate date: 25 July 1983

Citing this record

'Miss Gertrude Anna Bertha Hermes OBE', Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851-1951, University of Glasgow History of Art and HATII, online database 2011 [http://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/person.php?id=msib6_1211988953, accessed 21 Mar 2023]