The artwork “Leviathan (Job 40:21)” is a work by Salvador Dali, created between the years 1964 and 1967. It is a gouache painting that belongs to “The Biblia Sacra” series and falls within the realms of Abstract Expressionism and Symbolism. As a religious painting, it draws inspiration from the Book of Job, depicting themes likely related to the grandeur and mystery of the biblical Leviathan.
Upon examining the artwork, one is immediately confronted with a chaotic yet intriguing use of color and form. The abstract nature of the work challenges the viewer to discern meaning amidst seemingly unstructured brushstrokes. Dominant hues of brown, black, and orange fill the canvas, evoking a sense of the earthy and the primal. The composition suggests movement and force, likely emulating the chaos and power associated with the Leviathan described in religious texts.
At the center of the artwork is a formation that could be interpreted as an eye, a common motif in Dali’s work, possibly symbolizing the omnipresence and omniscience of the creature or even a divine force. The interplay of light and dark elements throughout the piece accentuates the drama and intensity of the subject matter.
In keeping with the artist’s signature style, this artwork employs ambiguity and surreal qualities to engage the viewer in a dialogue with the transcendent and the inexplicable, characteristic of both the Abstract Expressionist and Symbolistic movements.
