What topics does Self Portrait (David) explore?

self portrait, red background, figure study, bold color, portraiture, modern painting

Is Self Portrait (David) under copyright?

Yes, this artwork is still under copyright.

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David Bomberg
Self Portrait (David)

Collectible Description

The Intensity of Self: David Bomberg's Portraiture

To stand before a self-portrait by David Bomberg is to encounter not merely an image, but a profound confrontation with the artist’s own gaze. This 1937 work, titled Self Portrait (David), pulses with an almost visceral energy. The subject matter—the artist himself—is rendered with a striking immediacy that pulls the viewer into the intimate space of creation. Bomberg, a key figure among the 'Whitechapel Boys,' channeled the restless spirit of early 20th-century London onto his canvas. Here, the self is presented not as a polished ideal, but as a study in raw, vibrant existence.

A Symphony in Red and Shadow

Technically, the painting commands attention through its audacious use of color. The background, an overwhelming field of deep, saturated red, acts less like a backdrop and more like an emotional atmosphere—a curtain drawn around the figure. This bold chromatic choice immediately establishes a dramatic tension that permeates every inch of the composition. Against this fiery expanse, the man’s face emerges, illuminated by a masterful interplay of light and shadow. The artist has enveloped his form in what appears to be a rich red robe or garment, creating a powerful echo between the subject's attire and the surrounding void. This deliberate repetition of color unifies the piece while simultaneously heightening the contrast that defines the portrait’s drama.

Historical Echoes and Artistic Lineage

Bomberg’s career was marked by an absorption of major artistic movements, from the structured lessons learned under Walter Sickert to the revolutionary currents of Cubism. This Self Portrait stands as a testament to his mature style—a place where academic training meets raw emotional outpouring. While some of his contemporaries explored abstraction or narrative scenes, Bomberg often returned to the figure, grounding his avant-garde explorations in palpable human presence. The painting feels both deeply rooted in the tradition of portraiture and startlingly modern in its chromatic intensity, reflecting a pivotal moment in British art history.

Emotional Resonance for the Modern Collector

For those who collect art not just for beauty but for narrative weight, this piece offers deep contemplation. The bold color scheme ensures that it functions as a powerful focal point in any interior space, lending an air of sophisticated drama. It speaks to themes of identity, visibility, and the intense act of self-examination. Owning a reproduction of this work allows one to bring home a piece charged with such palpable artistic struggle and vibrant life force. It is art that does not whisper; it resonates, demanding that you pause, look closer, and engage with the compelling spirit captured by David Bomberg.

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

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