The artwork titled “Extravaganza” by Salvador Dali, dated 1959, belongs to the Surrealism and Abstract Expressionism art movements and is categorized under the genre of illustration. It is part of the Hallmark Collection, which showcases Dali’s unique style and thematic concerns.
The artwork displays a striking combination of vibrant colors and organic shapes, centralizing around a butterfly motif. This lepidopteran centerpiece appears resplendent with its wings spread, rendered in a delicate yellow ochre that contrasts with the surrounding splashes of red, orange, and blue. Below the butterfly lies a heart shape, in a deep shade of red, perhaps symbolizing passion or love. The heart, while simple in form, serves as a vibrant focal point amidst the chaos of color.
Around the edges of the butterfly and the heart, the paint seems to have been applied in an explosive, dynamic manner—characteristic of action painting, a facet of Abstract Expressionism. This technique lends the piece an energetic and spontaneous aura that contributes to its surrealist appeal. Upon closer inspection, one can discern additional organic elements reminiscent of eyes within the composition, which may allude to themes of perception or the subconscious, motifs frequently explored within Surrealism.
Moreover, the presence of Dali’s signature, along with the year of creation, is prominently displayed within the composition, integrating the artist’s identity with the artwork itself. The balanced asymmetry of the painting and the interplay between figuration and abstraction encapsulate the essence of both art movements to which “Extravaganza” is attributed.
