The 7 symbols of Dali's work
Apr 05, 2023
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From Dali's work we can see how the purest meaning of Surrealism emerges. This art made him escape from his daily life and if we analyze his works we see how we can obtain various recurring symbolisms that made him express his own personality.
1. Dalí's cast clocks
They represent omnipresence in time and identify his dominion over humanity. This idea came to Dalí when he dreamed of a Camembert cheese and how it was unable to withstand high temperatures, melting without resistance.
"The Persistence of Memory", 1931, Museum of Modern Art, New York.
2. Dali's Ants
Death is a recurring theme in surrealism and Dalí makes it present in the form of ants, alluding to the decomposition of the body. This use arose from the memory of when Dalí was five years old and saw an insect that had been devoured by ants and of which only the shell remained.
"The Ants" , 1929
3. Dalí's eggs
It is the symbol that best represents him and with it he refers to love and hope for life. The anecdote that gives rise to the egg is that before he was born, his parents had a son who died at the age of five, his name was Salvador. When they decided to have another child, they gave him the same name to honor the deceased child.
"Eggs on a plate without a plate" , 1932. The Dali Museum, St. Petersburg (Florida)
4. Dalí's crutches
Crutches of all kinds appear in Dali's work. They are a symbol of reality and a support for walking, so in his work they refer to an anchor in real life. They are also a symbol of tradition, upholding essential human values.
"The Dream" , 1937.
5. Dali's elephants
Strength and endurance are the two words that define this symbol in Dali's works. They are often depicted with long, multi-jointed and very thin legs, almost invisible, and always appear carrying something. They also represent the future.
"The Temptation of Saint Anthony" , 1946.
6. Dali's drawers
These drawers emerge from Freud's explanation as a representation of hidden female sexuality. Dalí portrays most of the drawers slightly ajar, indicating that their secrets are revealed and there is no reason to be afraid of them.
"The Anthropomorphic Desk" , 1936.
7. Dali's snails
Symbol used in relation to a very significant event in Dalí's life: his meeting with Sigmund Freud. The geometry, the hardness of the shell and the slowness of the animal captivated him and he did not hesitate to use it in his works, especially when he wanted to emphasize psychoanalysis.
"The Snail and the Angel" , 1977.