Painting Sleep by Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali. Painting Sleep, 1937
Salvador Dali, Painting Sleep, 1937

“Sleep” is one of the most popular paintings by Salvador Dali, which became the embodiment of his paranoid fantasies. In the center of the composition there is a huge ugly head against the background of a desert landscape, suspended in the air by means of thin props. This monster is the embodiment of a dream, a favorite motif of the genius Spanish artist.

The picture makes the viewer think about the severity and at the same time the fragility of dreams. They will collapse, it is worth removing only one crutch from the frightening creature. On the other hand, supports are connections with reality that do not allow you to completely go into the subconscious. The head is associated with the brain, which is never freed from memories, so images of a dog and a boat appear here. The blue color dominates on the canvas, it emphasizes the unreality of the depicted.

Author: Salvador Dali (1904-1989).
Year of writing: 1937.
Size: 51 x 78 cm.
Style: Surrealism.
Genre: Landscape, portrait.
Technique: Oil painting.
Material: Canvas.
Location: Private collection.

Salvador Dali is one of the most famous artists of the 20th century.

His works with unthinkable images and deep meaning have always shocked the audience. As a representative of surrealism, the painter paid great attention in his works to the theme of sleep as a reflection of the unconscious.

The painting “Dream” was created during the period of Dali’s mature work and is included in the cycle of works “Paranoia and War”. The external prototype of the key image was one of the cliffs of Cape Creus: in this place the genius repeatedly drew inspiration. The boulder, called “The Sleeping Head”, was depicted by the artist almost unchanged, perhaps having deprived it of materiality.

The unusual idea of ​​the painting and the high quality of its artistic embodiment make “Dream” one of the most recognizable works of Salvador Dali. He is highly appreciated by critics and fans of the work of the Spanish genius.

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