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Jerusalem

David Bomberg (1890-1957): From Cubist beginnings to expressive landscapes, explore the journey of this influential British painter & 'Whitechapel Boy'.

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Jerusalem

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Quick Facts

  • Artistic style: Expressionist
  • Influences: Paul Cézanne
  • Artist: David Bomberg
  • Title: Jerusalem
  • Year: 1925
  • Movement: Cubism
  • Dimensions: 28 x 40 cm

Art Quiz

There is only one correct answer for each question.

Question 1:
What artistic style is David Bomberg’s ‘Jerusalem’ primarily characterized by?
Question 2:
The painting depicts a daytime scene featuring prominent architectural elements. Which of these structures are included in the composition?
Question 3:
What is one notable influence on Bomberg’s artistic vision, as evidenced by his exposure to Cézanne's work?
Question 4:
The painting utilizes bold colors and textural techniques. What is a key characteristic of Bomberg’s approach to color?
Question 5:
Where is David Bomberg's ‘Jerusalem’ currently housed?

Collectible Description

David Bomberg’s Jerusalem: A City Captured in Bold Color and Geometric Form

David Bomberg's "Jerusalem" stands as a testament to the artist’s distinctive vision—a cityscape rendered with audacious hues and geometric precision that transcends mere representation, delving into the emotional core of its subject. Painted in 1925 during his formative years as an avant-garde painter, this oil on canvas artwork resides at the Bristol Museum – Art Gallery, offering visitors a glimpse into Bomberg’s artistic journey and his profound engagement with the spiritual landscape of Jerusalem.

Style and Technique: Embracing Cubist Influences

Bomberg's approach to painting is undeniably influenced by the revolutionary movements of Cubism and Futurism that dominated European art in the early 20th century. However, unlike many of his contemporaries who adhered strictly to these stylistic conventions, Bomberg skillfully blended geometric abstraction with Impressionistic techniques—a harmonious fusion evident in the artwork’s textured surface and vibrant color palette. The artist employed bold shades of ochre, crimson, and teal to depict buildings and mountains alike, creating a dynamic interplay between light and shadow that imbues the scene with palpable atmosphere. This deliberate layering of pigment contributes significantly to the painting's expressive power.

Historical Context: Echoes of Zionism and Artistic Exploration

Created during a period marked by fervent Zionist aspirations—the burgeoning movement advocating for Jewish self-determination in Palestine—"Jerusalem" reflects Bomberg’s personal fascination with the city’s history and cultural significance. The painting captures not only its architectural grandeur but also its spiritual essence, symbolized primarily by the prominent church steeple and clock tower. These elements serve as anchors to time and tradition, grounding the cityscape within a broader narrative of faith and resilience—themes central to Bomberg's artistic sensibilities.

Symbolism: Beyond Representation – Emotion Embodied

More than just a depiction of Jerusalem’s physical appearance, Bomberg’s artwork operates on a deeper symbolic level. The geometric shapes employed throughout the composition aren’t merely decorative; they represent an attempt to distill the essence of the city into its fundamental forms—a visual metaphor for stability amidst change and aspiration toward transcendence. Furthermore, the artist's masterful use of color communicates emotion—the fiery reds conveying passion and determination, while the cool blues evoking contemplation and serenity.

Emotional Impact: A Window Into Bomberg’s Soul

“Jerusalem” is undeniably a painting that resonates with profound emotional depth. It invites viewers to contemplate not only the beauty of the cityscape but also the artist's own inner landscape—his intellectual curiosity, his artistic ambition, and his unwavering belief in the transformative power of art. As a result, it remains an enduring symbol of artistic innovation and spiritual contemplation—a captivating masterpiece that continues to inspire admiration and scholarly inquiry.
  • Artist: David Bomberg
  • Year: 1925
  • Medium: Oil on Canvas
  • Dimensions: 28 x 40 cm
  • Location: Bristol Museum - Art Gallery, United Kingdom
Explore More: Discover More Paintings by David Bomberg | Visit Hatton Gallery

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

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
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