Welsh Journals

religious feeling in the artists's paintings of the Whitsun processions. In this picture, Mary Magdalen holds a dahlia. It is interesting to note that Vicari sees the dahlia as a symbol of good and evil. Its soft, tendril-like form, he claims, suggests both eroticism and spirituality. Thus, for Vicari, the dahlia is a symbol of both spirituality and sensuality. Mr Vicari is not concerned with social realism, and does not picture industrial South Wales from the viewpoint of social comment. This is interesting in the light of his background, for one would have thought his work would show some reflection of the social and political atti- tudes of industrial South Wales. I conclude that an artist would claim, as seems to be Vicari's standpoint, that to paint a person is itself a social comment: the whole picture shows the person's life, and the impact of his environment. Likewise, Vicari eschews modernity. He does not seem to be greatly influenced by recent developments in painting. His models are Raphael (especially certain portraits), Caravaggio, Velasquez, Courbet and Manet. Vicari's work might be rooted in the mid-nineteenth-century, so radical seems is rejection of twentieth century developments. Per- haps it is for this reason that he is ready to tackle ambitious subjects when enthusiasm moves him. One awaits, with interest, his future development. HEADLINE STORY WALES SWOOPED TO CONQUER.- Western Mail. WALES HIT BACK, THEN SAY THANK YOU.— Neivs of the World. WALES GRAND SLAM PAYS OFF.- Empire News. WALES FINE IN THE RAIN.- South Wales Echo. IRELAND FOILED AGAIN! OH! THE FRUSTRATION OF IT ALL!- Sunday Independent (Dublin). SOMETHING TO REMEMBER I am sure that in due time we shall be able to bring sufficient industry into West Wales to give full employment once again to that area. LORD BRECON.