20 by 24in. (50.8 by 61cm)

Title: (GROUP V) SAINT JOHN: RETROSPECT, 1943
Note: Saint John: Retrospect was originally shown in Colin Middleton’s remarkable first solo exhibition, held in October 1943 at the Belfast Museum and Art Gallery on its re-opening after the devastating bombing raids on the city. It was then included in Middleton’s first exhibition in Dublin, at Tom Nisbet’s Harry Street Gallery in May 1945. Despite Nisbet writing to Middleton that ‘the Press failed to respond’, (1) the Irish Times devoted several paragraphs to his exhibition and picked out Saint John: Retrospect as ‘another good picture, the figure being very well put in, with an original and highly-coloured interpretation of the Coliseum in the back’. (2) The painting was also noted in the Dublin Magazine’s review of the exhibition, which it described as an ‘exciting experience…though most of his work is interesting, St John: Retrospect, freer in handling, is the most satisfying’ (3). Nisbet was more positive about the response of the public, writing that ‘most of the people who know anything have come and been unfeignedly enthusiastic’. (4) Decades later, in 1970, the critic of the Irish Times recalled the impression the exhibition had made, ‘rather startling at the time, but quite perfect technically’. (5) This was the same year that Middleton began to exhibit in the Irish Exhibition of Living Art, suggesting that he was keen to make a reputation in Dublin even before he began to show with the Waddington Gallery. Saint John: Retrospect was, however, the only work that sold from the exhibition, purchased by Ernie O’Malley for £50. Despite this, Nisbet remained enthusiastic about Middleton’s work, writing to him that ‘It’s been a treat having your show, for once I didn’t feel that I had to apologise for at least 50% of an exhibition.’ (6) Dickon Hall September 2019 1. Letter from Tom Nisbet to Colin Middleton, 8 May 1945, Colin Middleton Archive, National Museums Northern Ireland 2. Irish Times, 24 May 1945, p.3 3. Dublin Magazine, July-September 1945 4. Nisbet to Middleton 5. Irish Times, 8 October 1970 6. Nisbet to Middleton

oil on canvas

dated [23 Jan 1943] on reverse