David Bomberg
The Bomb Store
oil on canvas
1943
76 x 57 cm
POA

There were several works on paper leading on to this painting, the theme of which is the wartime bombstore. It was a commission that stimulated him into “working once more at the top of his form, producing images which can now be ranked among the most impressive of is later paintings.” – (Richard Cork)

Bomberg adapted a degree of abstraction – going back to his early years, somewhat reminiscent of the Sappers series in 1918/19 but handling the paint differently, with brushwork that was freer and more colourful – yellow, umber and red – almost lyrical in spite of the severity of the subject matter.

This is the only painting on board on this subject and comes from a very distinguished collection from the North of England.