The artwork “De cruce depositio” was created by Salvador Dali between the years 1964 and 1967. This piece stems from Dali’s notable contribution to “The Biblia Sacra,” a series that intertwines the disciplines of Expressionism and Symbolism to convey religious themes. As a religious painting, it reflects upon the solemn and profound narratives found within the biblical text.
In this artwork, Dali employs expressive brushwork and a restrained color palette to portray a scene of the Deposition from the Cross, a moment after Jesus’ crucifixion. A sense of movement and drama is evoked in the fluid lines and the contrast of colors, highlighting the solemnity of the subject matter.
Figures appear in various states of action and repose, their forms rendered with a blend of detail and abstraction that is characteristic of Dali’s unique approach. The figure of Christ is treated with a sense of grace, despite the harsh reality of the event being depicted. The blurred and merging outlines of the figures contribute to the symbolic and emotional weight of the scene, portraying not only the physical act of lowering Christ from the cross but also reflecting the spiritual and emotional gravity of the moment.
