The artwork entitled “Gala Contemplating the Mediterranean Sea Which at Eighteen Metres Becomes the Portrait of Abraham Lincoln” is a captivating oil on photographic paper created by the renowned artist Salvador Dali in 1976. It exemplifies the intriguing intersection of Op Art and Surrealism, two significant art movements. This nude painting (nu) is housed in the Dalí Theatre and Museum located in Figueres, Spain. The genius of the piece is found within its dual perception: from a distance, it becomes a likeness of Abraham Lincoln, while at a closer view, it reveals a more intimate scene.
In the artwork, a female figure, understood to be Dali’s muse, Gala, stands with her back turned to the viewer, gazing out toward a sun-soaked horizon over the sea. The backdrop features a matrix of variegated cubes that play a critical role in this dual visual experience. From a nearer perspective, these cubes are an integral part of the immediate scene that includes Gala and the seascape. However, stepping back, the array of pixels coalesce into the visage of Abraham Lincoln, former President of the United States, showcasing Dali’s mastery of the visual trickery that characterizes much of his oeuvre. The composition is a testament to Dali’s fascination with science, mathematics, and the use of optical illusions, as well as his skill in transforming the mundane into the extraordinary.
