Bomberg was commissioned to paint the Burton-on-Trent bomb store in February 1942, after being refused twice in his application to be an official War Artist.

The eerie and destructive sight of the bombs stacked up in the disused mines so fascinated Bomberg that he produced painting after painting, working on greaseproof paper after he finished his meagre canvas ration.

Provenance

The artist's family, Sotheby's 11/5/88, lot 63.


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