The Face Of War By Salvador Dali

Surrealism evolved in Paris in 1924 and became less popular in 1966. The movement began when a group of artists and writers wished to unlock the power of imagination. Surrealists felt that the mind repressed the power of imagination. Many Surrealist ideas helped shape the Abstract Expressionists which remain influential today. Artists such as Pablo Picasso, Max Ernst, Alberto Giacometti, and Salvador Dali created works that were very popular during the Surrealist movement, and still are today (“Surrealism”). Many artists became famous for their art during this time period. Salvador Dali is among one of the most popular twentieth century artists who was associated with the Surrealist movement (“Salvador Dali Art”).
In Spain on May 11, 1904,
Dali painted this in 1940 during a difficult year due to World War II. This work was created to depict the frightening and the ugliness of war, which he represents through a screaming face made up of other screaming and horrified faces. Dali uses many dark colors to represent the misery caused by the war (“The Face of War”). When a viewer glances at this work, the first thing they will most likely notice is the enormous brown face in distress. The face is entangled in vines in the middle of what appears to be a desert. A screaming skull peers out of the mouth, which only possesses two scraggly teeth. In both eye sockets reside screaming skulls as well. I believe this painting portrays its meaning in a magnificent matter, showing viewers the misery felt by many due to the
Behind this painting is a somewhat complicated, but rather interesting inspiration. Dali considered himself apolitical, but through this work shows his personal struggle with the war in his home country (“The Burning Giraffe (1937), Salvador Dali”). The scenery seems to resemble the Catalan Coast, as do many other paintings Dali has produced. At the top of the painting the sky is black. This could resemble a cloud of smoke tarnishing the beautiful blue sky. On the horizon sits a series of mountains. Near these mountains stands a giraffe, but this giraffe is on fire! A small person stands under the giraffe. In the front of the painting stands two women-like figures. These figures are very unusual, as they have no facial features or hair. The woman in the front of the painting looks as if she is dancing, while the second woman faces the giraffe standing straight. The second woman holds what appears to be a flame at eye level. Also, the woman has long, slender objects that look like lightning bolts shooting out of her skull. Awkward levers or sticks jut out from the backs of both women. The woman in the front of the portrait has open desk drawers falling from her body. Both women are clothed in tight blue dresses, and have brown