The artwork “Cybernetic Odalisque” was created by the artist Salvador Dali in 1978. It is an oil painting on canvas with dimensions of 200 x 200 cm. This piece is often associated with the Op Art and Surrealism movements and is considered to be of the figurative genre.
The artwork presents a complex visual experience where geometric and organic elements interact. The majority of the canvas is dominated by a tightly woven lattice of red, green, and black rectangles that create a dizzying optical effect characteristic of Op Art. This mosaic of shapes serves as a background that partially obscures a figure on the right side of the painting. The subject appears to be a reclined woman, a traditional pose reminiscent of the historical “odalisque” subject in Western art, but rendered with a twist of modernism or futurism, hinted at through geometric fragmentation and cybernetic themes. The sharp patterns juxtaposed with the softer rendering of the human form create a striking contrast, blending traditional figuration with abstract geometry. Thus, Dali crafts an intricate visual narrative that challenges the viewer’s perception and invites careful exploration of form and content.
