Beschreibung:

Artist: Colin Middleton RUA RHA (1910-1983) Title: Castle Park (1953) Signature: signed lower left, titled and dated 1953 verso Medium: oil on canvas Size: 28 x 38.20cm (11 x 15in) Framed Size: 41.8 x 52.5cm (16.5 x 20.7in) Provenance: James Adam's & Bonhams, Important Irish Art, Dr. Kearney Collection Sale, lot 11; Private Collection a#morebtn { color: #de1d01; } a#morebtn:hover { cursor: pointer;} A number of Colin Middleton's most colourful and lyrical paintings were, perhaps unexpectedly, completed at particularly challenging moments in his life. Despite the critical success that Middleton had achieved since he had begun to exhibit with Victor Waddington in Dublin in 1949, by 1953 their pro... Read more Colin Middleton Lot 29 - 'Castle Park (1953)' Estimate: €20,000 - €30,000 A number of Colin Middleton's most colourful and lyrical paintings were, perhaps unexpectedly, completed at particularly challenging moments in his life. Despite the critical success that Middleton had achieved since he had begun to exhibit with Victor Waddington in Dublin in 1949, by 1953 their professional relationship was under strain, as was the close friendship that had developed between them, and Middleton was having to consider taking on work as a damask designer again, a career that Waddington's support had enabled him to leave to be able to paint full time. In January 1953, in part to ensure he could remain in close contact with the linen companies for which he had previously worked, Middleton had moved to Bangor from Ardglass, where he had moved in 1949 and which subsequently became a source of inspiration for one of the most productive periods of his career. Initially they rented a house by the sea at Ballyholme and, despite the upheaval, Middleton clearly felt a strong connection with his new surroundings, writing to Waddington that 'I have a feeling that there should be a good spell of painting from Bangor when I can get dug into more permanent quarters'. The paintings of this period often have a joyous mood and reflect Middleton's exploration of the landscape and farmland around Bangor; figures rarely intrude. Castle Park is one of the few images of a specific place within the town itself but Middleton removes anything that might identify its specific location and treats it as unpeopled and almost untamed, evoking a lush intensity and lyricism that is consistent with his very personal spiritual vision of the landscape at this time. The broad handling and non-naturalistic colour of Castle Park, Bangor continues to develop the expressionist manner of painting that Middleton had explored during his time Ardglass. A shaft of sunlight illuminates a patch of grass in the centre of the canvas, but the drama of the painting is largely created by the intense colours in the shadows, applied in series of short strokes as well as more rhythmic, almost biomorphic shapes that are balanced by the solid verticals of the tree trunks. It is likely that this is one of the six small canvases Middleton sent to Waddington in August 1953 to which the latter responded with great enthusiasm. Middleton left Bangor in 1955 and moved to the north coast, but he and his wife returned there in the early 1970s and he remains strongly associated with the town. Sixty years after it was painted, the present work was included in an exhibition of Middleton's paintings of Bangor held at North Down Museum, which is situated in the grounds of Castle Park. Dickon Hall, March 2022