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Colin Middleton
GOOSE GIRL
Lot 7
Price Realised:
€30,000
Estimate:
€20,000 - €30,000
Colin Middleton MBE, RHA, RUA, 1910-1983
GOOSE GIRL
Oil on board, 24" x 24" (61 x 61cm), signed with monogram; signed, inscribed and dated 1969 verso.
Provenance: From the estate of an Irish collector
The subject of the Goose Girl recurs thro... Read more
Lot 7
Colin Middleton
GOOSE GIRL
DVTV Click Here To View VideoGOOSE GIRL
Oil on board, 24" x 24" (61 x 61cm), signed with monogram; signed, inscribed and dated 1969 verso.
Provenance: From the estate of an Irish collector
The subject of the Goose Girl recurs thro... Read more
Lot 7
Colin Middleton
GOOSE GIRL
Estimate:
€20,000 - €30,000
Colin Middleton MBE, RHA, RUA, 1910-1983
GOOSE GIRL
Oil on board, 24" x 24" (61 x 61cm), signed with monogram; signed, inscribed and dated 1969 verso.
Provenance: From the estate of an Irish collector
The subject of the Goose Girl recurs throughout Colin Middleton's work, from the early 1940s to an expressionist interpretation in the 1950s and a more abstracted painting, Queen with Geese (1970), in the collection of the Irish Museum of Modern Art. Middleton's interest in fairy tales and legends, whose symbolism often shaped and provided a structure for the various, often diverse, elements of his work, suggests that these paintings were probably related in some degree to the tale of the Goose Girl first published by the Brothers Grimm in 1815.
This story allowed Middleton to explore the significance of the female archetype, which remained a constant element within his work, as well as the recurring symbol of the bird, often placed within his work in direct relationship to this archetype and seeming to express a spiritual identity or even related supernatural powers or awareness. Themes of journeys, identity and transformation or metamorphosis were also often present in Middleton's work, although the conclusion of the Grimms' story has a different tone to a story such as The Snow Queen, which was an important influence on Middleton's earlier work.
In the 1960s Middleton began to use gesso-prepared boards which give the paint surface a decorative and energetic quality that is independent of the image but does relate to it. His pictorial language in the present work is lyrical but economical, suggesting buildings and a landscape. There is an almost symbiotic closeness between the figure and the goose whose body stretches along her outstretched arm, and a euphoric connection with the natural world around her that is expressed even in details such as the yellow of the flower reflected in one eye. While Middleton's work changed gradually but quite strikingly across his career, the themes, ideas and ambitions that drove him as an artist remained remarkably consistent and provide unity across five decades.
Dickon Hall
October 2021
GOOSE GIRL
Oil on board, 24" x 24" (61 x 61cm), signed with monogram; signed, inscribed and dated 1969 verso.
Provenance: From the estate of an Irish collector
The subject of the Goose Girl recurs throughout Colin Middleton's work, from the early 1940s to an expressionist interpretation in the 1950s and a more abstracted painting, Queen with Geese (1970), in the collection of the Irish Museum of Modern Art. Middleton's interest in fairy tales and legends, whose symbolism often shaped and provided a structure for the various, often diverse, elements of his work, suggests that these paintings were probably related in some degree to the tale of the Goose Girl first published by the Brothers Grimm in 1815.
This story allowed Middleton to explore the significance of the female archetype, which remained a constant element within his work, as well as the recurring symbol of the bird, often placed within his work in direct relationship to this archetype and seeming to express a spiritual identity or even related supernatural powers or awareness. Themes of journeys, identity and transformation or metamorphosis were also often present in Middleton's work, although the conclusion of the Grimms' story has a different tone to a story such as The Snow Queen, which was an important influence on Middleton's earlier work.
In the 1960s Middleton began to use gesso-prepared boards which give the paint surface a decorative and energetic quality that is independent of the image but does relate to it. His pictorial language in the present work is lyrical but economical, suggesting buildings and a landscape. There is an almost symbiotic closeness between the figure and the goose whose body stretches along her outstretched arm, and a euphoric connection with the natural world around her that is expressed even in details such as the yellow of the flower reflected in one eye. While Middleton's work changed gradually but quite strikingly across his career, the themes, ideas and ambitions that drove him as an artist remained remarkably consistent and provide unity across five decades.
Dickon Hall
October 2021
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All maximum bids are confidential and not disclosed. The system will endeavor to purchase the lot for you for the least price. Bids are subject to buyer’s premium of 25% (incl vat), with no additional charges.
In the event of a tied bid, the preference will be given to the bid submitted first. The second bidder will receive immediate notification of being outbid.
PLEASE BID EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT.
In order to allow rival bidders the opportunity to respond to a late bid the following extensions will apply:
IF A BID IS RECEIVED WITHIN THE FINAL 45 SECONDS OF THE COUNTDOWN THE CLOCK WILL RESET TO 60 SECONDS.
At any point you can leave a maximum bid, representing the highest price you are prepared to pay for a particular lot. Bidding only advances when there is competition from a rival bidder. In that case the system bids on your behalf, only up to the maximum if required. All bids are relayed to you be email, along with notification if you have been outbid.
All maximum bids are confidential and not disclosed. The system will endeavor to purchase the lot for you for the least price. Bids are subject to buyer’s premium of 25% (incl vat), with no additional charges.
In the event of a tied bid, the preference will be given to the bid submitted first. The second bidder will receive immediate notification of being outbid.
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