By Henrietta Rae a portrait of former Lord Mayor Sir James Johnston.
In ArchiveFramed Oil Painting by Henrietta Rae (1859 - 1928) 1918 - 002 Council Asset Reference
By Henrietta Rae a portrait of former Lord Mayor Sir James Johnston.
The Painting depicts Sir James seated in full ceremonial Gown with his Badge of Office worn on a Chain over his shoulders and around his neck. In his outstretched Left hand he holds some papers.
It should be noted that this Painting has had some damage to the condition of the surface Paint as is pictured and this image reflects it’s unrestored condition. The damage occurred during the Blitz of Belfast in 1941 and it was decided following World War II not to restore the portrait but to maintain it as a poignant reminder of what the City of Belfast had endured.
The Rt Hon. Sir James Johnston (1849 - 1924) was born in 1849.
He was a Company Director and was elected to the Belfast Corporation (the predecessor to Belfast City Council) representing The Irish Unionist Party.
He was appointed High Sheriff of Belfast in 1912/13.
He proceed to take office as Lord Mayor of Belfast from 1917 to 1919.
In 1921 he was elected to the Senate of Northern Ireland. He was the first Deputy Speaker of the Senate of the new Northern Ireland Parliament from 1921 - 1923.
He died in 1924 aged 75.
This is owned by Belfast City Council. Image reproduced with the permission of Belfast City Council