Paintings Have Come Home!

The club has been extremely lucky in receiving six wonderful paintings by one of the early members of the club, the late Aberdeen artist Robert Fogarty (1871-1944). This was made possible due to the generosity of Gisele Reid, who inherited a number of paintings from her Aunt who's Great Uncle was Robert Fogarty.

Gisele thought it fitting that the paintings should be returned to the club and suggested that the members might be willing to make a donation to a Cancer Charity. Our members were more than happy to support this and raised £425 which was divided between the Maggie's centre in Aberdeen along with north-east Scotland charity Clan Cancer Support.

Robert Fogarty had considerable talent as a painter of landscapes, including Indian scenes, and figure subjects. He served his apprenticeship as a litho artist with Messrs Cornwall and Sons. After a short period in London he was appointed the manager of the Litho department, Survey of India, Calcutta, a post from which he retired in 1916. By 1922 he was on the council of the Northern Arts Club with the responsibility of running the Life Class. He served on the council for many years and was Vice-President through some of the difficult war years from 1941 until 1944. In the club records it is also recorded he helped with hanging the paintings for the club's exhibitions and that his 'sportsmanship and genial disposition made him a general favourite'.

'Gisele Reid'

Robert Fogarty participated in many of the exhibitions held at the Northern Arts Club, and in the Aberdeen Press and Journal, Mon, 28 Oct 1929: it was favourably noted that, ‘Mr Robert Fogarty’s colouring is particularly personal. His almost "Turneresque" harbour scene is interesting'.

'Aberdeen Harbour'

Robert Fogarty painted a broard and diverse range of subjects, but it is his use of light and colour that is so effective in contributing to the mood of a painting. The Aberdeen Press and Journal, Thurs, 3 Nov 1932 notes: ‘Robert Fogarty’s distinctive colouring is once more at its best in his Indian studies'.

'Royal Monkeys'

The painting 'Royal Monkeys' is dated 1927 and was exhibited in the Aberdeen Gallery. It shows his draftsmanship and wonderful depiction of light.

He exhibited a painting entitled 'Portrait of a Pal', in the Aberdeen and North-East Artists’ exhibition at Aberdeen Art Gallery between 4th December 1940 and 1st March 1941, alongside several other artists including none other than Alberto Morrocco!

Robert Fogarty also participated in many exhibits with the Aberdeen Artists Society from 1919 to 1924.

'The paintings now at the Northern Arts Club'