Young Bomberg and the Old Masters

Reflecting on the vitality of the past, through the works of one of Britains most audacious 20th-century painters

The British painter David Bomberg (18901957) was among the most precociously talented artists of his generation, and the influence of his legacy continues to be felt. This catalogue is the first to explore Bombergs early work in relation to the collection of Londons National Gallery, demonstrating the importance of painterly tradition for this deeply innovative artist. As a teenager Bomberg intensively copied old master paintings; Botticellis Portrait of a Young Man (c. 148085) was reportedly one of his favorites. But after joining the Slade School of Art, he embraced the idea of a new, increasingly abstract art that would reflect the drama of the world around him. By placing Bombergs rebellious, youthful works alongside those he most admired in the National Gallery, this book explores the true extent of the young artists engagement with history, and how it shaped his contribution to the language of early 20th-century modernist art.

Published by National Gallery Company/Distributed by Yale University Press

Exhibition Schedule:

National Gallery, London
(November 27, 2019March 1, 2020)
 

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