The artwork entitled “Jesus carrying the cross” was created by the notable artist Salvador Dali between the years 1964 and 1967. This piece was crafted using gouache, a method that employs opaque watercolors. The artwork can be categorized under two art movements: Abstract Expressionism and Symbolism, and it is recognized as a religious painting. It is part of Dali’s series “The Biblia Sacra.”
As we examine the artwork, we are immediately met with a scene that exudes both the tension and gravity of religious experience. The figure of Jesus is depicted amidst the act of carrying the cross, a seminal moment in Christian narratives that symbolizes suffering and redemption. Salvador Dali’s handling of form and color leans heavily into the ethos of Abstract Expressionism, using loose, fluid, and vigorous brushstrokes that communicate the intense emotion and dynamism of the scene. The abstracted figures leave much to the subjective interpretation of the viewer, but the central theme is unequivocal.
In typical Dali fashion, the elements of Symbolism are also vividly present. The characters and objects within the artwork are not just literal representations, but also stand as powerful symbols imbued with deeper spiritual or metaphysical meanings. The abstract nature of the figures, along with the fragmented and free-flowing lines, suggest a departure from corporeal constraints into the ethereal or spiritual realm, and an invitation to contemplate the transcendent themes the artwork represents.
