The artwork titled “Equestrian Parade (possibly Set Design for ‘Romeo and Juliet’)” is attributed to Salvador Dali, a renowned artist known for his contributions to the Surrealist movement. Created in 1942, the piece demonstrates a clear affiliation with Surrealism, exemplified through its dream-like and fantastical elements. The genre of the work fits within the realm of design, and it possibly served as a conceptual set design for Shakespeare’s famed tragedy “Romeo and Juliet.”
The artwork presents a visually intriguing scene that merges Dali’s flamboyant surrealism with elements of a theatrical performance. At the left of the artwork, a large equestrian figure dominates the canvas; its distorted anatomy reflects Dali’s interest in the subconscious and the bizarre. The horse, lacking in color but rich in form, is a leading element directly positioned to attract the viewer’s gaze. Accompanying the central figure appears to be a golden sphere, a recurring motif in Dalían iconography, which may symbolize perfection, unity, or power.
Transitioning to the right side, the scene evolves into a chaotic parade of more equestrian figures along with various other forms that seem to defy the laws of gravity and reality. This dynamic assemblage of figures radiates a sense of movement and pandemonium, which contrasts with the somewhat static and monolithic presence of the singular horse figure on the left.
The background consists of a dusky, atmospheric landscape, typical of Dali’s paintings, enhancing the surreal ambiance and serving as a tranquil foil to the activity in the foreground. Two separate archway-like structures provide a frame through which the surreal parade appears to be either entering or exiting. The presence of a lone skull on the ground at the center bottom edge contributes to the overall feeling of eeriness and may hint at themes of mortality, fate, or the tragic undertones congruent with “Romeo and Juliet.”
In terms of composition, the artwork is carefully balanced with a mixture of solidity and abstraction, reality and imagination, bringing forth a multi-layered tableau that challenges and provokes the viewer’s perception.
