The City on the Rock, Evening, Ronda, Spain 1935

Curator: David Bomberg, born in 1890, created this piece titled "The City on the Rock, Evening, Ronda, Spain". It's part of the Tate Collection and rendered on a support of 470 by 628 millimeters. Editor: It looks almost oppressive, like the city is a geological formation bearing down. The heavy use of charcoal adds to that weight. Curator: Bomberg was deeply interested in the city as a symbol of modern life. He explored these urban spaces, and this piece encapsulates his interpretations. Editor: It’s all about process, the layering of charcoal, the marks he chose to leave visible. Look how the charcoal dust creates atmosphere—it makes you feel the grit of the city. Curator: The lack of specific date complicates its placement within his oeuvre, but it provides a lens through which to examine his broader social commentary. Editor: Exactly, it makes you wonder about the availability of his materials, the type of charcoal used, and how it would have impacted the work. Curator: This piece invites us to contemplate the convergence of urban development and natural formations within the historical context of Bomberg's artistic career. Editor: It makes you think about the labor, both artistic and manual, involved in creating and sustaining a city like Ronda. Curator: It provides a rich tapestry of historical, social, and artistic considerations. Editor: A raw, honest portrayal of place through the labor of art-making.