Elapsed Time
The Persistence of Memory
Salvador Dali was a surrealist painter born in 1904 in Figueras, Catalonia, a major region of Spain. Dali became great at adopting the various styles of other artists into his repertoire and studied all over the country (The 1). He became fond of the link between the subconscious-mind and art. He envisioned himself painting his dreams in sometimes erotic forms. Known mainly for his surreal work he was fascinated with ideals and concepts of psychology. Dail knew what he wanted people to think about when he painted this piece. The painting “The Persistence of Memory”, by Salvador Dali, was created in 1931 in Spain and it was painted with oil on canvas in the surrealist style (Background 1). This is arguably one of his most famous works which he painted in his late twenties. The vividly colorful images are made up of three pocket watches, detached from their chains, warping slowly on a tree branch, a flat rock, and a dead fleshly looking specimen. The scene is almost ironic at first with the dreamlike foreground and the realistic sunset ocean background. What are supposed to be solid objects appear limp as they drape over actual solid objects. Critics argue that most surrealists have no real rhyme of reason to their work, but as we observe this painting notice there is depth and a statement is trying to be made…the lapse of time during sleep (Background 1). The contents of this painting are enigmatic and difficult to grasp the meaning of, but the message is all but to clear. The painting appeals to peoples’ inner feelings of dreams elapsing of time, and ultimate death. The somewhat logical aspect to the painting’s meaning is that time seems irrelevant during sleep and only memories persist. In this particular painting it seems to be representing
Dali’s past experiences in his hometown in Spain possibly. The desert scene feels very hot and muggy giving the viewer the impression of the cliffs of Catalonian.
Salvador Dali was a surrealist painter born in 1904 in Figueras, Catalonia, a major region of Spain. Dali became great at adopting the various styles of other artists into his repertoire and studied all over the country (The 1). He became fond of the link between the subconscious-mind and art. He envisioned himself painting his dreams in sometimes erotic forms. Known mainly for his surreal work he was fascinated with ideals and concepts of psychology. Dail knew what he wanted people to think about when he painted this piece. The painting “The Persistence of Memory”, by Salvador Dali, was created in 1931 in Spain and it was painted with oil on canvas in the surrealist style (Background 1). This is arguably one of his most famous works which he painted in his late twenties. The vividly colorful images are made up of three pocket watches, detached from their chains, warping slowly on a tree branch, a flat rock, and a dead fleshly looking specimen. The scene is almost ironic at first with the dreamlike foreground and the realistic sunset ocean background. What are supposed to be solid objects appear limp as they drape over actual solid objects. Critics argue that most surrealists have no real rhyme of reason to their work, but as we observe this painting notice there is depth and a statement is trying to be made…the lapse of time during sleep (Background 1). The contents of this painting are enigmatic and difficult to grasp the meaning of, but the message is all but to clear. The painting appeals to peoples’ inner feelings of dreams elapsing of time, and ultimate death. The somewhat logical aspect to the painting’s meaning is that time seems irrelevant during sleep and only memories persist. In this particular painting it seems to be representing
Dali’s past experiences in his hometown in Spain possibly. The desert scene feels very hot and muggy giving the viewer the impression of the cliffs of Catalonian.
Cited: “Background on Surrealism and Salvador Dail.” Read. Art Foundation for the Blind. Web. 25 Sept. 2013. “The Persistence of Memory (Meaning) by Salvador Dali” Authentic Society. 2006-2011. Web. 25 Sept. 2013.