Luke Myers
Professor Stoddard
ARH 106
27 January 2015
Analysis of an original work of art
Santiago El Grande by Salvador Dali
Much can be said about about this painting. It is extraordinary, a masterwork, and one of Dali’s most famous. I was lucky enough to see it when it was at the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida. Despite holding one of the largest collections of his works worldwide, I spent most of my time at the museum under Santiago. Under him, because everything about this work is designed to put you there. The Saint is ascending, and you are looking up to witness it.
A cold, harsh blue sky is the backdrop for this Dali masterwork. Starting at the base of the painting, a burnt orange, desolate beach and craggy cliffs border …show more content…
Looking up the body, the front legs are blurred slightly to imply motion. It is in the act of rearing, not just standing there! The effect is dramatic motion and thrust which points you toward its rider. The foot of Saint James is prominent, painted very large to lend a 3d effect. Its as if he is kicking at you, or perhaps thrown backwards from his horse’s upward momentum. The Christ figure, though appearing in crucifix, has his head tilted far back, looking straight up at the sky. The light around him is angled so that it appears to shoot straight out towards the viewer. I think these radial lines and abrupt border make the figure reminiscent of one of Dali’s famous clocks. Lighting in this painting is accomplished through an ambient backdrop of blue sky, and through a bright shaft from above. Every shadow points down, and every highlight and accent point up, drawing you once again in that direction. The intense relief on the horse’s torso, neck, and face reinforce this goal. The shaft ends in a spotlight behind the Saint, framing his head and the horse’s well and drawing your attention …show more content…
Even without being an experienced scholar, you get the sense that this painting has a deep spiritual meaning. It is assumed the standing female is his wife who appeared in many of his paintings from this time period. The cloud is atomic, reflecting Dali’s growing interest in nuclear mysticism. It ends in a jasmine flower, a symbol of purity which seems to me ironic given its placement. The foot of the Saint, heavy with the dust of the road, represents James’ exhaustive travels. The angels, and the Christ (portrayed in place of Saint James’ usual sword) show the Saint’s ascent into heaven. Other symbols, such as the scallop shells and prone figure are harder to decipher.
The painting is regarded as one of the best and most striking works of the twentieth century, and it is easy to see why. From the shore, to the vaults, to the sky, it pulls you inward and upward. Then it jumps back at you with a horse in motion, an ascendant Saint, a dirty foot, a golden sword-Christ. It is an incredible technical accomplishment, it’s enormous, and a myriad of fine details hold the viewer’s attention for hours. The symbolism sparks endless discussion, and the sheer presence of the piece can move one to tears. Santiago el Grande is an impressive work, without equal, the achievement of a
Professor Stoddard
ARH 106
27 January 2015
Analysis of an original work of art
Santiago El Grande by Salvador Dali
Much can be said about about this painting. It is extraordinary, a masterwork, and one of Dali’s most famous. I was lucky enough to see it when it was at the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida. Despite holding one of the largest collections of his works worldwide, I spent most of my time at the museum under Santiago. Under him, because everything about this work is designed to put you there. The Saint is ascending, and you are looking up to witness it.
A cold, harsh blue sky is the backdrop for this Dali masterwork. Starting at the base of the painting, a burnt orange, desolate beach and craggy cliffs border …show more content…
Looking up the body, the front legs are blurred slightly to imply motion. It is in the act of rearing, not just standing there! The effect is dramatic motion and thrust which points you toward its rider. The foot of Saint James is prominent, painted very large to lend a 3d effect. Its as if he is kicking at you, or perhaps thrown backwards from his horse’s upward momentum. The Christ figure, though appearing in crucifix, has his head tilted far back, looking straight up at the sky. The light around him is angled so that it appears to shoot straight out towards the viewer. I think these radial lines and abrupt border make the figure reminiscent of one of Dali’s famous clocks. Lighting in this painting is accomplished through an ambient backdrop of blue sky, and through a bright shaft from above. Every shadow points down, and every highlight and accent point up, drawing you once again in that direction. The intense relief on the horse’s torso, neck, and face reinforce this goal. The shaft ends in a spotlight behind the Saint, framing his head and the horse’s well and drawing your attention …show more content…
Even without being an experienced scholar, you get the sense that this painting has a deep spiritual meaning. It is assumed the standing female is his wife who appeared in many of his paintings from this time period. The cloud is atomic, reflecting Dali’s growing interest in nuclear mysticism. It ends in a jasmine flower, a symbol of purity which seems to me ironic given its placement. The foot of the Saint, heavy with the dust of the road, represents James’ exhaustive travels. The angels, and the Christ (portrayed in place of Saint James’ usual sword) show the Saint’s ascent into heaven. Other symbols, such as the scallop shells and prone figure are harder to decipher.
The painting is regarded as one of the best and most striking works of the twentieth century, and it is easy to see why. From the shore, to the vaults, to the sky, it pulls you inward and upward. Then it jumps back at you with a horse in motion, an ascendant Saint, a dirty foot, a golden sword-Christ. It is an incredible technical accomplishment, it’s enormous, and a myriad of fine details hold the viewer’s attention for hours. The symbolism sparks endless discussion, and the sheer presence of the piece can move one to tears. Santiago el Grande is an impressive work, without equal, the achievement of a