The artwork titled “Long Live the Station at Perpignan, Long Live Figueras” was created by artist Salvador Dali in the year 1979. This piece aligns with the Surrealist movement, of which Dali was a leading figure, and it falls under the genre of figurative art, which means that it represents real objects or subjects drawn from life.
In examining the artwork, one observes a high-contrast black and white composition that features a silhouetted figure at its center. The figure appears to be handling some sort of tool or weapon, though the specifics are obscured due to the silhouette form. There is text that seems to be scribbled across the figure and background, namely “Vive la gare de Perpignan” and “Viva Figueras,” expressing exuberance for the train station of Perpignan and the city of Figueras. In the background, there is a smaller silhouetted figure that looks to be in an active or jubilant pose. The artwork also includes what appears to be Dali’s signature and the date of creation near the bottom of the piece.
The use of silhouette creates a dramatic and striking visual, emphasizing the two figures without providing any detailed features or expressions. This storytelling technique leaves much to the interpretation of the viewer and imbues the artwork with a sense of mystery and open narrative. The overall composition, with its scribbled text and distinct shapes, offers a bold and evocative statement in line with the artist’s known Surrealist style.
