The artwork “Gala as Madonna of Port Lligat” was created by Salvador Dali in 1950. This work is an intricate blend of mediums, combining gouache, pencil, photography, and cardboard to form a piece that is 12.5 x 10 cm in size. It resides within the realms of Realism and Surrealism and is categorized as a portrait.
In the artwork, the central figure—presumably Gala, Dali’s muse and wife—is depicted seated and appears contemplative or introspective, with her hands pressed together in a gesture reminiscent of prayer or meditation. The figure is dressed in a flowing white garment that adds a sense of purity and elegance. The blue sky in the background gives the scene an airy and surreal atmosphere, while the rough and seemingly unfinished nature of the cardboard adds texture and contrast to the refined central figure. The crude pencil marks surrounding the central figure lend the work an element of spontaneity and work-in-progress, characteristic of Dali’s often experimental and boundary-pushing approach to art. Despite its small size, the artwork is striking in its combination of the realistic portrayal of the human figure with Surrealist elements.
