Raoul Middleman Obituary

On Oct 29, 2021, Raoul Middleman passed away at age 86 at his Baltimore home.

Raoul was a well known artist and art instructor whose work was shown internationally.

He leaves a wife, Ruth; three sons, Raphael Middleman of Ventura CA, Benjamin Middleman of Baltimore, MD, and Nathaniel Middleman, of Baltimore, MD; and five grandchildren.

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Published by Baltimore Sun on Oct. 31, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Raoul Middleman

Sponsored by The Baltimore Sun.

10 Entries

Mary Anne Tom

November 11, 2021

I made a post on FB that I will share subsequently. A world class painter and a super classy gentleman, Raoul was defintely among the best artists and teachers I have had the immense pleasure and luck to have worked with. What a tremendous honor and privilege to have sat for his students at MICA countless times and to have posed for him in his studios for his own work a few times.

I'm very sorry I didn't get to reconnect with him recently before he left us, but what a legacy and what a family he has created! Generations of Baltimoreans and those beyond have been wonderfully blessed to have been in his presence. One of the kindest, gracious, and most talented artists to live amongst us.

We will miss you forever, Raoul! My deepest condolences to Ruth and to all of your family and others who knew him.

Brigitte Tutschka

November 4, 2021

It was 1971. My late husband Peter and I came to Baltimore from Germany for one year. However - many years followed. My fortunate encounter with Ruth let us meet Raoul, starting an enduring friendship. Not only did Raoul help us move a grand piano two flights up into our first apartment, he and Peter played house music, Raoul violin and Peter accompanying him on the piano - but conversing in Latin was the ultimate climax for my linguistic father, who befriended Raoul on one of his many visits.
Painting my father, painting me on many sittings in yellow, green, or brown, painting our son Christian at the age of one year within 15 minutes was the outpouring of a genius.
Raoul can easily be compared with old and modern masters yet showed the present art world his very own style and creativity. He would never run out of paint. And when he poured colors on the canvas he was erupting like a volcano, true to himself and his objects, a composition only worthy of a genius.
Raoul will always be remembered as an amazing artist.
It is our/my honor to have been his friend and as Peter would have said : " he undoubtedly is one of the most impressive modern painters in art's history".
Dear Ruth, I am so very sorry and my deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family.
With love always
Brigitte

Jean Wilson

November 4, 2021

The night Raoul passed I was thinking Baltimore was crying a million tears...the next morning there were Raoul's painterly clouds and light moving across the sky ...I love looking at Baltimore, the weather, clouds and skies through his painting--his eyes.

WILLIAM LINTHICUM

November 2, 2021

A bright light of many colors has gone dark. Raoul was an unequaled source of inspiration to me throughout my life. When I painted I imagined him critiquing the work. Thanks for teaching me, Raoul.

Bruno Baran

November 2, 2021

My heart is taking a beating these last two months with the loss of two dear friends , colleagues, mentors and artists. First we lost a dear classmate from MICA, Judy Fox Fletcher an accomplished painter, and dedicated mother and grandmother. We shared a lot when we were at MICA and met in The Masters class, Raoul Middleman´s drawing and painting class along with Kevin Fitzgerald.
Raoul´s influence on my life can not be repaid for what he showed and taught us!
His love of painting, history, philosophy as well as the French language. Many times Raoul would take us to the Decker Library and pull out large folio books of masters paintings, and expound about the use of composition, color, mark making etc. His eloquent style of phonetically stringing words together revealing relevant facts about the artist life and loves as well the thoughts behind the image, professed by so call experts which at times he disagreed!
I can hear his voice when he was overly exuberant about a section or area of a painting " Damn, just look at that , he´s a genius with such expressive strokes"
He showed us work from Eugene Delacroix to Lovis Corinth, from Camille Corot and his dusky landscapes to William Merritt Chase and his use of red as a guide in his paintings. He opened our eyes to all forms and styles of painting and drawing! He introduced me to Alice Neel when she had her show at Grimaldis Gallery. What giants I walked beneath in this amazing place called Baltimore!
I will miss his voice, his bombastic alliterations of prose related to painting and art! I´m so blessed to have had this man in my life. He is now creating for the angels, with the same love and care for the arts along with others.

T.Z,Maryland

October 31, 2021

I am very sorry for the loss of Mr Rauol Middleman, May the almighty God give you comfort at this difficult time.

Joe Giordano

October 31, 2021

Passion!

george Figgs

October 31, 2021

I'll never forget the time he came to the Orpheum with a large entourge that filled 2 rows to see the Surrealist film program I put together including Man Ray, Bunuel/Dali, Rene Claire & etc. Raoul and co. stayed after in the lobby for his wonderful reviews of the films. It made my year!

Helene Haviland

October 31, 2021

The world has lost a great artist and unique person. Larger than life is the phrase that comes to mind. So many memories of time spent with him through the years. I´m imagining lively conversations between him and Joe in the spirit realm. Rest in peace Raoul we were privileged to know you.

Barbara Dale

October 30, 2021

When I first moved to Baltimore I saw a picture of Raoul´s work in the Baltimore Sun Magazine and I thought, "Wow, there´s a world class painter in Baltimore!" I called him up and asked if I could come to his studio and look at more of his work. He kindly gave me the tour. I found his work bold, brave, unpretentious yet sophisticated and every piece taught me something new. He was a true master of technique without an ounce of self consciousness. In short, a genius.

I bought some work, and eventually became friends with both Raoul & Ruth. His boys were just little kids at the time. I asked Raoul if he would teach me how to paint, and he graciously let me audit his class at MICA. He taught me the importance of value in creating 2D look 3D. I will always feel grateful for that. Raoul was a generous teacher. There must be hundreds, if not thousands, of artists who benefitted from his largesse.

I posed for some paintings. I listened to Raoul play the violin. Oy. I traveled with Ruth & Raoul to the south of France while studying painting with Ruth.

A few times I was fortunate to be invited to dinners with the Three Amigos, Raoul, Al and Erich. I´d just listen, agog, as the three bounced from one genius thought to the next, interspersed with hilarious repartee. Raoul was so funny. I loved him. I admired him. He was one of a kind.

Ruth, Rafe, Ben and Nate, please know how very sorry I am for your loss. May your memories remain as vivid as his paintings.

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