The work, “Ghost of Vermeer Van Delft”, by Salvador Dali, is an oil on panel painting created circa 1934. As an exemplar of Surrealism, Dali’s piece deviates from traditional representation to explore the uncanny and the extraordinary. Though categorized under the landscape genre, the painting resides in a private collection and is not readily accessible to the public.
In the artwork, the enigmatic nature of Surrealism is immediately evident. The composition juxtaposes disparate objects in an ethereal landscape that defies conventional logic. A figure resembling a ghost sits atop a block-like pedestal; this spectral presence is detailed with careful attention to shading and texture that suggests a three-dimensional form within the two-dimensional plane. Adjacent to the figure is a hollowed object, possibly a vase, contributing to the sense of surreal abandonment.
Foreground elements cast long, exaggerated shadows across the scene, an homage perhaps to the dramatic lighting typical of Baroque art, while a fine detail that echoes Vermeer’s own signature work emerges in the background, creating a stark contrast with the painting’s surreal elements. Feather-like forms stand tall on one side of the artwork, framing the scene and adding to the dreamlike atmosphere.
A singular bottle stands ominously on the lower right, and above the landscape, the sky looms with a mottled texture, perhaps indicating a tumultuous environment or the tumult within the psyche that Surrealism often seeks to express. Overall, the work is emblematic of Dali’s unique ability to evoke the subconscious through meticulous technique and imaginative composition.
