A Flea for Art. 7 



features were entirely in sympathy with the main building. The 

 sculpture fell into its proper relative position, and explained the 

 sculptor's intentions at a glance, while at the same time its pro- 

 portions were noble and convincing. Neither could any exception 

 be taken to the memorial to the late Queen Victoria, which was 

 also in scale with the building, and was well placed. 



Moreover, the success of the group as sculpture alone was 

 undeniable, and it was undoubtedly one of Brock's finest efforts. 

 Concluding, the lecturer referred to some of the other objects 

 which a municipal art gallery might serve, and said municipalities, 

 and municipalities alone, could encourage that monumental art in 

 painting as in sculpture which was the true national as distinguished 

 from domestic art. 



The Municipal Art Gallery exercised an ennobling influence 

 on the community as a whole. They taught the workers who 

 visited them that there were realms at present entirely beyond 

 their ken where they could at times obtain at least temporary 

 oblivion from the sordid cares of their colourless lives. Through 

 the eyes and the brain of the artist they learned to appreciate the 

 manifold beauties of nature, and as a result of this life came to 

 have a new meaning for them. 



Mr. G.\rrf:t Nagle, R.M., in moving a vote of thanks to the 

 lecturer, said Mr. Normand appeared before them that night in his 

 dual personality — in his own persjnality as a most eminent painter 

 and in his personality as the husband of an equally distinguished 

 painter. He referred to his wife, Henrietta Rae, whose fame and 

 works were so well known in Belfast. In that delightful paper 

 Mr. Norman had interwoven so many charming anecdotes of the 

 interesting people, painters and artists, with whom he had come in 

 contact that he had kept attention riveted upon him. He had 

 also told them of what had been done in the cause of art by 

 municipal authorities in other parts of the United Kingdom and 

 of the magnificent art galleries they had provided. They hoped 

 before long to see in this city an art gallery worthy of Belfast filled 



