Image Not Available
 
Colin Middleton, Irish, 1910-1983
Title: Abstract Figures
Date: 1958
Medium: Pastel, gouache and graphite on paper
Dimensions:
27.9 x 22.8 cm
Signed: lower left [in monogram]: 58
Credit Line: Purchased, 2017
Object Number: NGI.2017.33
DescriptionBorn in Belfast, Colin Middleton is among most eclectic twentieth century Irish artists. From the late 1940s he moved with conviction through Cubist, Surrealist and Expressionist styles. Largely self-taught, he worked in the family damask business until 1947 when the opportunity to teach art enabled him to give more time to painting. He was represented by Victor Waddington from 1948, shortly after his return to Belfast following a year spent on a community farm in Thelnetham. Middleton made a precarious living from his powerful art. Through rich colour and expressive use of paint he represented the life and struggles of ordinary people.
This work, like much of his output in the 1950s, can be seen as representing Middleton’s response to the post-war world. There is a sense of the universality of suffering, the lasting effect the war on the emotional and spiritual life of humanity. Middleton saw himself as part of the European painting tradition and this abstracted image of figures shows the influence of Picasso.

ProvenancePurchased at auction, Whyte's & Sons Auctioneers, Dublin, 02 Octber 2017, lot 57

This website uses cookies

We use optional cookies to enhance your user experience and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services.

Details

About Cookies

Cookies are small text files that can be used by websites to make a user's experience more efficient. The law states that we can store cookies on your device if they are strictly necessary for the operation of this site. For all other types of cookies we need your permission. This site uses different types of cookies. Some cookies are placed by third party services that appear on our pages. You can at any time change or withdraw your consent from the Cookie Declaration on our website. Learn more about who we are, how you can contact us and how we process personal data in our Privacy Policy. Please state your consent ID and date when you contact us regarding your consent.

Necessary Cookies

Necessary cookies help make a website usable by enabling basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website. The website cannot function properly without these cookies.

NameProviderPurposeExpiryType
JSESSIONIDeMuseumUser SessionSessionHTTP

Statistics Cookies

Statistic cookies help website owners to understand how visitors interact with websites by collecting and reporting information anonymously.

NameProviderPurposeExpiryType
_gaGoogle Tag ManagerRegisters a unique ID that is used to generate statistical data on how the visitor uses the website.2 yearsJavaScript
_gidGoogle Tag ManagerRegisters a unique ID that is used to generate statistical data on how the visitor uses the website.1 dayJavaScript