The artwork “Design for Set Curtain for Labyrinth I” is a surrealist oil on canvas by renowned artist Salvador Dali, created in 1941. Measuring 39 by 64 centimeters, this piece of design genre is part of a private collection. Surrealism, the movement to which this artwork belongs, is characterized by the exploration of the unconscious mind and the depiction of dream-like, often illogical scenes.
The artwork depicts a desolate landscape, themed with the disconcerting and dream-like elements typical of Salvador Dali’s surrealist style. In the foreground, a central figure dominates the scene, comprised of disjointed human body parts that morph into the rocky scenery. This figure features a torso with breasts and a large, round, cracked object for the head, likely evoking the image of a desolate, egg-like form. A barren tree grows from the cleft of the figure’s torso, highlighting themes of sterility and decay, as opposed to traditional associations of growth and life. In the background, the desolate landscape continues with craggy cliffs and a serene body of water under a subdued sky, contributing to the overall eerie and otherworldly atmosphere of the piece. The environment is one of stark contrast between the warmth of the flesh tones and the coolness of the blue sky and sea, showcasing Dali’s talent in creating visually stunning and thought-provoking surrealistic landscapes.
