Adams Important Irish Art 23rd March 2016 : You can Download a PDF Version from the Bottom Menu Down Arrow Icon

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Pen, ink and type, 26 x 16cm (10¼ x 6¼’’)
Colin Middleton was deeply involved in the world of poetry as well as that of art. His second
wife, Kathleen, was a recognised poet, and he numbered many leading Irish poets among
his friends, including John Hewitt, Seamus Heaney and Michael Longley; the latter two wrote
poems inspired by Middleton’s painting and he also provided drawings to accompany Heaney’s
Sweeney Astray.
Middleton himself wrote poetry for much of his life and in 1947 John Hewitt encouraged Robert
Greacen to include his work in an Anthology of Modern Irish Poetry. Although his writing was
undoubtedly an independent activity, its themes and ideas do often relate to his painting. Ac-
cording to Michael Longley, who has written with great insight on Middleton, “he claims…that his
poetry has now become a philosophical aid to the painter, a catalyst.” (Michael Longley, ‘Colin
Middleton’, Dublin Magazine, 1967)
€ 1,200 - 1,800
Matchboxes
Pen and ink, 19 x 18cm (7½ x 7’’)
Signed with monogram and dated 20 April ‘73
This is a study for “Judy-Wilderness Series” sold in these rooms 3/12/2008 Cat. No. 48
€ 500 - 800