Appriciating Salvidor Dali Prints: Meanings
...esent overwhelming sexual desire as well as death and decay. The Dream of Christopher Columbus This 1959 work exemplifies Dali’s "classic" period, when he created large, epic canvases-- in this case well over 14-feet tall --depicting religious or historical themes. Three major influences inspired the artist. First, the approaching 300th anniversary of the death of Velazques. Second, the academic debate surrounding Columbus's true nationality-- some academics had insisted Columbus was Catalonian rather than Italian. Naturally, Dali seized upon this opportunity to glorify his wondrous Catalonia. Third, the gallery which commissioned Dali was situated on Columbus Circle in New York City. The appointment by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain to explore the New World is depicted in the top center of the painting. Immediately to right, the flying crosses, lances, standards and polearms held aloft by the figures below are direct references to the Velazques painting, The Surrender at Breda. In this manner, Dali pays homage to the 17th century Spanish master who so heavily influenced him. The center of the painting is dominated by a young Columbus who is leading one of his ships onto the shoreline of the New World. He holds in his right hand a standard on which the visage of Gala is depicted in the pose of St. Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great. To the right of Columbus is the kneeling figure of a monk, who is actually Dali. In the lower right hand corner, the figure whose head is totally obscured by a cloak represents the introspective and private side of his wife Gala. Fianlly, in the lower left hand corner, a translucent bishop holds his staff aloft among a series of crosses and other objects. This is Saint Narcisso, the Bishop of Gerona, who was murdered in his own abbey. There was a Spanish legend that said whenever any foreign invaders would advance into the area of St. Narcisso's tomb, that huge clouds of gadflies would pour forth in order to drive the foreign invaders away. Metamorphosis of Narcissus With its rich color, classical references, and repetitive imagery, these Salvador Dali prints showcase a maturing of Dali's surrealist style. Completed between 1937-1938, Metamorphosis invites comparisons to the work of Hieronymous Bosch, a northern European painter from the late Middle Ages. Like Bosch, Dali adds a profusion of detail to his canvas, from the dog in the corner to the naked ...