The artwork titled “Figure on the Rocks” was created by the celebrated artist Salvador Dali in the year 1926. This piece is an oil painting on panel, measuring 27.5 x 45 cm, indicative of Dali’s foray into the styles of Cubism and Expressionism. Within the realm of genre painting, this artwork eloquently captures the diversity of Dali’s range. It resides in the collection of the Salvador Dali Museum, located in St. Petersburg, Florida, United States.
“Figure on the Rocks” portrays a somewhat ambiguous and fragmented figure, seemingly draped in a flowing, white garment that emphasizes the play of light and shadow. The figure is nestled amidst a series of harsh, jagged rocks that dominate the composition, imparting a sense of tension and contrast. Subtle gradations of color and tone add to the painting’s dramatic and emotive quality. Delicately poised between abstraction and figuration, the artwork exudes a dichotomy akin to that found within the cubist and expressionist movements, encapsulating the psychological complexity and technical skill for which Dali is widely revered.