The artwork titled “Angelus excussit flammam ignis (Daniel 3:23)” was created by Salvador Dali between the years 1964 and 1967. It is part of the “The Biblia Sacra” series and exemplifies religious painting within the context of the Abstract Expressionism and Symbolism art movements. The genre of the piece suggests a spiritual or scriptural theme, which is consistent with the overall focus of the series on biblical narratives.
The artwork presents an abstract and somewhat minimalist composition with a central form that appears to be a mound or hill. Atop this structure, there is an explosive pattern of what might be interpreted as flames or embers, predominantly in black with hints of a lighter, possibly pink hue. This effect creates a sense of dynamism and drama. In the foreground and engulfing the base of the mound, a softer, perhaps smoky formation stretches out, possibly representing the ground or a pathway that leads toward the mound. The lighter areas could be indicative of smoke or the presence of a supernatural entity, aligning with the biblical episode of the fiery furnace from the Book of Daniel, which the title references. The sparse use of color and expressive brushwork lend the piece a raw emotional quality that is typical of Abstract Expressionism, while the symbolism is rooted in the religious narrative.
Dali’s signature is prominently placed in the lower right corner with a date, confirming the artist’s own identification with the work and providing a temporal marker. The overall execution of the piece emphasizes the artist’s ability to convey complex theological ideas through abstract forms, encapsulating the sense that one is encountering a moment of biblical magnitude through a contemporary lens.
