“Living Still Life” is an oil on canvas artwork created by Salvador Dali in 1956. Exhibiting attributes of the Realism movement, the piece measures 125 by 160 centimeters and falls within the still life genre. The artwork is presently located within a private collection, making it an exclusive piece that is not on public display.
The artwork features a composition that challenges traditional still life conventions. At first glance, it seems to showcase an assortment of objects situated on a draped table, typical to the genre. However, upon closer inspection, several elements betray a sense of motion, which is atypical for still life works. The background presents a serene seascape with cliffs, while the foreground introduces a vibrant contrast with dynamic elements.
Floating objects dominate the scene, contrasting with the realistic rendering of items one would expect to find stationary in a still life. Fruit seems to hover in the air, and a crystal-clear bottle contains water in suspension, defying gravity. This fluidity imbues the scene with a dreamlike quality characteristic of Dali’s oeuvre. The edges of the table and a piece of cloth are rendered with precise detail, demonstrating Dali’s technical skill.
At the right side of the artwork, a dark, shadowy figure and various spherical forms engage in an ambiguous interaction, further adding to the surreal atmosphere. Throughout the artwork, a play of light and shade enhances the texture and form of the depicted objects, skillfully capturing the nuances of each item against the bizarre occurrences within the scene.
While some objects appear in high definition, others blur into the background or merge with their surroundings, creating a scene that oscillates between the real and the imagined. In classic Dali fashion, “Living Still Life” distorts reality, challenging perceptions and inviting viewers to question the boundaries between the animate and inanimate.
