The artwork “Plange, virgo, accincta. Sacco.” was created by the renowned artist Salvador Dali between 1964 and 1967. This piece is executed in gouache and falls within the realms of Abstract Expressionism and Symbolism. As a genre, it is classified as a religious painting and is part of the series “The Biblia Sacra.”
The artwork portrays what appears to be a veiled figure, imbued with an ethereal and translucent quality. The colors are mainly in soft blue and beige tones, conveying a sense of sorrow and contemplation, which aligns with the title of the work. The face of the figure seems to emerge from the background, with features that appear to be gently sketched, creating an almost ghostly presence. The employment of light and shadow adds to the mystical and spiritual ambiance, with the figure being centrally positioned and appearing to be draped or swathed in fabric.
The title, which translates as “Weep, virgin, girded with sackcloth,” suggests a connection to mourning or penitence, which is common in religious texts and iconography, possibly alluding to a biblical context. Dali’s use of gouache allows for a fluidity and richness in the artwork, showcasing the expressive potential of the medium while demonstrating Dali’s versatility as an artist beyond his more commonly known Surrealist works. The signature “Dalí 1964” is inscribed at the bottom of the artwork, anchoring it in time and attribution.
