New Donation
Aftermath by Max Maccabe
We are delighted to announce a new addition to the Northern Ireland War Memorial's artwork collection.
'Aftermath' by local artist Max Maccabe (1917-2000) vividly depicts a scene from the Belfast Blitz. With over half the city's housing stock destroyed over 4 air raids in April - May 1941, the artist who was living in north Belfast at the time has vividly captured the destruction inflicted on densely populated residential areas.
The painting has been generously donated to our collection by freelance exhibition coordinator and writer Matthew Maw from his personal collection. Matthew has previously written about this painting in his guest blog for us, 'Nobody died in the Blitz'.
During the painting's handover we were very pleased to meet with Professor Chris Maccabe CB who is the son of artists Max and Gladys Maccabe. Chris was able to share stories about his parents during the Second World War and their connections with other artists represented in NIWM's collection including William Conor and Robert Taylor Carson.
Matthew Maw commented on the painting: “When I saw Max Maccabe’s Aftermath in a friend’s studio a few years ago I immediately recognized it as a significant work of art. It is so daring and emotionally powerful, I knew I had to make an offer on it. But I slowly came to feel that such an important record of the Belfast Blitz and of our shared artistic heritage had no business being in a private collection. I am delighted that Maccabe’s painting will now be free to view for the public in the Northern Ireland War Memorial.”
Chris Maccabe said: “I’m so grateful to Matthew for his perception and generosity. And very proud that this historic work by my father is now included in the Northern Ireland War Memorial’s fabulous collection.”
Don Bigger, Chairman of NIWM, remarked: “We are delighted to have this painting by Max Maccabe joining the museum’s collection of artworks inspired by the terrible events of the Belfast Blitz. As we approach in 2026 the 85th anniversary of the air raids on the city, NIWM is very grateful to Matthew Maw for this generous and timely donation. We look forward to putting the painting on display in future for the public to enjoy.”
