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David Bomberg
Double Self Portrait (recto)

Quick Facts

Artistic style: Post-Impressionist influence
Dimensions: 59 x 50 cm
Medium: Oil on canvas
Year: 1937
Title: Double Self Portrait (recto)
Artist: David Bomberg

Collectible Description

A Glimpse into the Soul: The Introspective World of David Bomberg

In the quiet, contemplative depths of Double Self Portrait (recto), we encounter more than just a likeness; we enter the private sanctuary of one of the twentieth century's most profound British visionaries. Painted in 1937, this evocative oil on canvas serves as a window into the psyche of David Bomberg, a man whose artistic journey navigated the turbulent waters of Cubism, Futurism, and a deeply personal expressive realism. The portrait captures a moment of profound stillness, where the artist gazes downward, perhaps lost in the very creative currents that defined his life's work. There is an undeniable intimacy in this composition, as if the viewer has been granted silent permission to witness a private moment of reflection.

The subject, rendered with a masterful command of form, presents a man characterized by a rugged, thoughtful dignity. Clad in a simple blue shirt and crowned by a dark, somber hat, the figure’s bearded countenance is the focal point of an emotional narrative. The downward tilt of the head suggests a heavy introspection, a weight of thought that resonates through the textured layers of oil paint. Bomberg utilizes his brush to sculpt light and shadow across the face, creating a sense of volume that feels both physically present and spiritually ethereal. This technique does not merely replicate a surface appearance; it breathes life into the skin and fabric, inviting the observer to feel the gravity of the artist's internal monologue.

Technically, the work is a testament to the enduring power of the oil medium. The brushwork, while controlled, possesses an organic vitality that avoids the sterility of mere imitation. One can sense the deliberate application of pigment, building up layers that catch the light in subtle, shifting ways. This tactile quality makes the piece particularly captivating for collectors and interior designers alike; it is a work that demands attention not through loud colors, but through its sophisticated interplay of tone and texture. The palette, dominated by deep blues, earthy shadows, and the stark contrast of the black hat, creates a moody, atmospheric environment that can anchor a room with its quiet strength and historical gravitas.

For those seeking to bring a piece of art history into a contemporary space, Double Self Portrait (recto) offers an unparalleled opportunity. It is a work that transcends mere decoration, acting instead as a conversation piece that speaks of resilience, introspection, and the enduring human spirit. Whether placed in a curated gallery setting or as a focal point in a sophisticated study, this reproduction carries with it the legacy of the 'Whitechapel Boys' and the avant-garde movements of the early 1900s. It is an invitation to pause, to look inward, and to find beauty in the profound simplicity of a single, captured moment of thought.

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Artist Biography

Early Life and Artistic Training

Born: Birmingham, United Kingdom (December 5, 1890)
Died: London, United Kingdom (August 19, 1957)
One of the 'Whitechapel Boys' – a group of East End artists who emerged in the early 20th century.

Born to Polish-Jewish immigrant parents, Abraham and Rebecca Bomberg, initially studied at the City and Guilds Technical Art School before training as a lithographer in Birmingham.

Studied under Walter Sickert at Westminster School of Art (1908-1910), influenced by Sickert's focus on form and urban life. Significant exposure to Paul Cézanne through the 1910 Roger Fry exhibition "Manet and the Post-Impressionists." Attended the Slade School of Art (1911), winning the Tonks Prize for his drawing of fellow student Isaac Rosenberg.

The Avant-Garde Years: Cubism, Futurism, and Controversy

At the Slade, Bomberg was part of a remarkable generation including Mark Gertler, Stanley Spencer, C.R.W. Nevinson, and Dora Carrington.
Influenced by the 1912 London exhibitions of Italian Futurists and Fry's second Post-Impressionist exhibition (Picasso, Matisse, Fauvists, Wyndham Lewis).
Developed a distinctive style combining Cubism and Futurism – characterized by geometric compositions, limited color palettes, angular figures, and grid-like structures.
His radical approach led to expulsion from the Slade School of Art in 1913, deemed too audacious for the institution's conventional methods.
Briefly associated with Bloomsbury Group’s Omega Workshops and exhibited with the Camden Town Group. Showed affinity with Wyndham Lewis’s Vorticist movement but remained independent, refusing full involvement.

From War to Landscape: A Shift in Style

Experiences as a private soldier during World War I profoundly impacted his artistic vision, leading to a move away from abstraction.

The 1920s saw Bomberg adopt a more figurative style, focusing on portraits and landscapes drawn directly from nature. Developed an increasingly expressionist technique, marked by textured impasto and emotional intensity.

Extensive travels through the Middle East (particularly Palestine) and Europe significantly influenced his later work. His depictions of Jerusalem are particularly notable.

Later Years and Legacy

From 1945 to 1953, taught at Borough Polytechnic (now London South Bank University), influencing a generation of artists including Frank Auerbach, Leon Kossoff, Philip Holmes, Cliff Holden, Edna Mann, Dorothy Mead, Gustav Metzger, Dennis Creffield, Cecil Bailey and Miles Richmond.
Married landscape painter Lilian Holt.
Despite periods of relative obscurity during his lifetime, Bomberg's work has gained increasing recognition in recent decades as a significant contribution to British modern art.
David Bomberg House at London South Bank University is named in his honor.
His legacy lies in his unique synthesis of European avant-garde movements and his later development of a powerful, expressive landscape style that captured the essence of place and human experience.

David Bomberg

1890 - 1957 , United Kingdom

Quick Facts

Artistic Movement Or Style:
- Cubism
- Futurism
- Expressionism
Artists Or Movements Influenced By This Artist:
- Frank Auerbach
- Leon Kossoff
Artists Who Influenced This Artist:
- Paul Cézanne
- Walter Sickert
- Wyndham Lewis
Date Of Birth: December 5, 1890
Date Of Death: August 19, 1957
Full Name: David Garshen Bomberg
Nationality: British
Notable Artworks:
- Self Portrait (1937)
- Kitty, the Artist’s Sister (1929)
- Study for a Painting
- Jerusalem
Place Of Birth: Birmingham, United Kingdom