The artwork titled “Landscape with Rock in the Shape of a Triumphal Arch” was created by Salvador Dali in 1981. It is considered part of the Symbolism movement, and it belongs to the genre of landscape. This piece exemplifies Dali’s mature period when his earlier surrealist undertones evolved into a more symbolic, less overtly dreamlike aesthetic.
The artwork presents a spacious landscape dominated by a vast, open sky that transitions from a serene blue to a dusky, mottled haze, suggesting either dawn or dusk. In the center stands the focal element—a peculiar rock formation resembling a triumphal arch, positioned within a body of water that extends towards the horizon. The natural archway is rendered with an attention to realism, which contrasts with the dreamlike quality of the surrounding environment. It casts a long, imposing shadow over the water’s surface, anchoring the composition and emphasizing the surreal nature of the setting. The sky itself is occupied by a seemingly turbulent combination of clouds and other, less identifiable forms, which could be interpreted as symbolic elements typical of Dali’s later work. The ethereal and ambiguous quality of these elements serves to challenge the viewer’s perception of reality, inviting introspection on the nature of landscapes as a motif and the potential symbolism imbued within the arch’s stoic presence amidst the elements.
