Lot Essay
Bomberg and his wife Lilian travelled to Spain in the summer of 1934 after a planned trip to Russia had been cancelled. Their journey began in Cuenca, commencing through Santander and Santillana. The enthusiasm of the Bradford collectors, Asa Lingard, Arthur Crossland and Wyndham Vint for the Toledo paintings from 1929 funded the trip further south to Ronda in December 1934. Richard Cork (Bomberg, London, 1987, pp.207-08) comments 'Lilian remembered this ancient town from her previous visit and suggested that they move down there. She liked the idea that Ronda was 'near enough to Gibraltar for the baby to be born on British soil', and she also hoped Bomberg would find abundant inspiration in a location dramatic enough to bring out the most forceful and impulsive side of his temperament. Her hopes were amply fulfilled. Bomberg responded very directly to a place he later described as 'the most interesting of the towns of Southern Spain'.
He was particularly impressed by its command of 'an extraordinary view of the amphitheatre of mountains by which it is surrounded and drew special attention to 'the gorge - a stupendous rent 250-300 ft wide & 400 ft deep'.
After a six month stay, the Ronda paintings were sent to England and the family travelled south to the Asturian mountains in July 1935. In November the family managed to catch the last boat to England before the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War.
He was particularly impressed by its command of 'an extraordinary view of the amphitheatre of mountains by which it is surrounded and drew special attention to 'the gorge - a stupendous rent 250-300 ft wide & 400 ft deep'.
After a six month stay, the Ronda paintings were sent to England and the family travelled south to the Asturian mountains in July 1935. In November the family managed to catch the last boat to England before the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War.