The artwork “Olive Trees. Landscape at Cadaques” is by the artist Salvador Dali, dating from circa 1922. As an early piece of Dali’s career, it reflects the Post-Impressionism movement and falls under the genre of landscape painting. Currently, the artwork is housed within a private collection.
In this work, Dali captures the serene ambiance of Cadaques, a Catalonian fishing village that he frequented. The perspective is rendered from a vantage point atop a hill, looking down upon the landscape dotted with mature olive trees in the foreground. Post-Impressionistic influences are evident in the emphasis on the structural properties of the olive trees as well as the painterly application of color and light. The central focus of the piece is the village itself, which is illuminated by a luminescent body of water that appears to glisten under the muted sky.
The painting is characterized by its relatively subdued palette, with the artist using earthy tones to detail the rocky terrain and rich greens for the verdant trees. The composition shows a clear separation of the land from the water and sky, creating a layered depth. Dali’s treatment of light suggests the time of day might be early evening or late afternoon, lending the artwork a tranquil, contemplative mood.
One notable aspect is the inclusion of a solitary figure in the foreground, providing a human element that anchors the viewer’s perspective. This figure seems to be gazing at the landscape, perhaps reflecting on the natural beauty or the quiet life of the coastal village. Through skillful brushwork and thoughtful composition, Salvador Dali’s “Olive Trees. Landscape at Cadaques” communicates a poignant sense of place and time, standing apart from the surreal works that he famously produced later in his career.
