“Elias per turbinem super currus igneus,” is a work by Salvador Dali, created between 1964 and 1967. It belongs to a collection entitled “The Biblia Sacra,” and serves as a quintessential example of the mingling of Abstract Expressionism and Symbolism within Dali’s oeuvre. As a religious painting, it draws upon the rich and complex iconography often associated with such themes.
The artwork features a central ochre-toned swirling form that captures the viewer’s attention amid splashes and dribbles of paint, evocative of the chaotic energy that one might associate with the divine or the mystical. The central figure within this whirl appears to be rendered in black, in sharp contrast with the otherwise dominantly warm-hued backdrop. The figure’s form, while abstracted, suggests a dynamic movement, as if caught amidst a profound event or transformation. Surrounding the central form are sketch-like lines and geometric shapes, including what could be interpreted as the representation of wheels, invoking the titular “currus igneus,” or fiery chariot. These elements could be perceived as symbolic, potentially alluding to the biblical tale of the prophet Elijah, who, according to scriptures, ascended to heaven in a whirlwind on a chariot of fire.
Dali’s unique approach in this artwork unites the suggestive power of abstract forms with evocative symbols, reflecting his capacity to infuse traditional religious narratives with a modern, often surrealist sensibility. The use of color, form, and line guides the viewer through an interpretation that is as much about the sensation and emotion of the depicted event as it is about the event itself.
