Who painted The Dead Sea from Wady Kelt, Palestine?

The Dead Sea from Wady Kelt, Palestine was painted by David Bomberg in 1923.

Where can I see The Dead Sea from Wady Kelt, Palestine?

The Dead Sea from Wady Kelt, Palestine is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is The Dead Sea from Wady Kelt, Palestine?

The Dead Sea from Wady Kelt, Palestine is associated with British Romanticism.

Artwork

The Dead Sea from Wady Kelt, Palestine

David Bomberg , 1923

The Dead Sea from Wady Kelt, Palestine is a watercolor work on paper by the British Romanticist artist David Bomberg. It dates from 1923 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

David Bomberg’s 1923 watercolour, titled *The Dead Sea from Wady Kelt, Palestine*, presents a broad vista of the region’s arid terrain. A distant expanse of water occupies the horizon, while undulating hills and low mountains dominate the foreground, rendered in a restrained palette of greens, browns and beiges.

Subject & Meaning

The work captures the stark landscape surrounding the Dead Sea, emphasizing the contrast between the barren, earth‑toned land and the shimmering, saline water beyond. The composition suggests a contemplative observation of the region’s geological isolation and its muted, almost monochromatic atmosphere.

Technique & Style

Bomberg employs delicate washes and varied brushstrokes to convey texture across the hills and the water’s surface. The watercolour medium allows for subtle gradations of tone, creating a sense of depth as the terrain recedes into the background, while the restrained colour scheme underscores the scene’s austerity.

History & Provenance

Signed, dated and inscribed with its title by the artist, the piece reflects Bomberg’s period of travel in the Middle East during the early 1920s. It stands as a documented record of his on‑site studies of the Palestinian landscape, produced shortly after his return to Britain.