The artwork “Arabs – the Death of Raymond Lulle” by Salvador Dali, created in 1963, is associated with the art movement often referred to as Abstract Expressionism. This piece falls under the abstract genre, reflecting the artistic tendencies that favor the visual language of shape, form, color, and line to create compositions independent of visual references in the world.
Upon examination of the artwork, one is met with a chaotic intermingling of forms and textures, swirling across the canvas in a manner that seems both spontaneous and intensely emotional. The color palette is relatively subdued, with earthy tones dominating the scene, punctuated by highlights of white that appear to emerge from the underlying darkness like ghostly apparitions. The application of paint is thick and appears energetically manipulated, contributing to the overall sense of dynamism and turmoil conveyed by the piece.
In keeping with its abstract expressionist roots, the artwork is less about a clear representation of reality and more about invoking a visceral response from the viewer. The title suggests a historical narrative—perhaps the tragic demise of the philosopher Raymond Lulle—but the abstract nature of the work leaves much to individual interpretation. The chaotic elements within the painting could be understood to symbolize the violence and disorder surrounding Lulle’s death, yet they also speak to a more universal human condition of conflict and mortality.
Dali, traditionally known for his surrealistic works, here takes a departure into the realm of abstraction, showing his versatility as an artist and his capacity for exploring different artistic languages to convey complex themes.
