The artwork “Et cognoverunt eum in fractione panis” was created by the renowned artist Salvador Dali in the year 1964. As part of the “The Biblia Sacra” series, this piece embodies elements of Expressionism and Symbolism, and it is categorized as a religious painting. The title translates to “And they recognized him in the breaking of the bread,” which alludes to a biblical scene.
Upon examining the artwork, one observes a scene with a central focus on the act of breaking bread—an event steeped in religious symbolism. The tones used by Dali are subdued, with gentle washes of color that create a sort of hazy atmosphere, perhaps to evoke a sense of holiness or otherworldliness. A few figures are gathered around a table, with one centrally situated and notably more indistinct than the others, possibly representing a divine presence. This figure appears to emanate light, suggesting a celestial significance or a moment of revelation.
The treatment of the subjects is ethereal; their forms are delineated loosely, imbuing the scene with a dreamlike quality. There is an otherworldly luminescence to the golden yellow halo around the central figure, contrasting with the deeper, more brooding shadows and black tones at the edges of the composition. The inclusion of a dog at the bottom right of the artwork adds an element of normalcy and humble life amidst this spiritual representation. Notably, Dali’s signature and the year of creation are visible at the bottom of the artwork, anchoring it in a tangible point in time despite its timeless subject matter.
