A framed canvas of his portrait is to be presented to the Dean of St Albans, the Very Rev Jeffrey John,

The 18in x 24in portrait, in which the Dean is wearing the Alban Cope he wears at great festivals, is the work of the chairman of St Albans Art Society, Edward Bevin, who is an editorial adviser at the cathedral.

Painted in acrylic on canvas board, the portrait was seen by hundreds of visitors to the art society’s summer exhibition in St Albans Town Hall.

The painting, which shows the Dean standing outside the West Door with his hands clasped and the cope highlighted, is painted in impressionistic style.

It was based on an original photograph with Edward introducing several of his own ideas after studying the Dean’s face while he was preaching, walking in procession and speaking to members of the congregation in the South Transept after a service.

The Dean was given a private view of his portrait in his study before it went on display. Edward said: “He was delighted with the result, adding that it was his first-ever life portrait.”