The artwork “Rhinocerotic Figure of Phidias’ Illisos” is a symbolic painting by Salvador Dali, completed in 1954. As a reflection of Dali’s distinctive Surrealist style, this piece was rendered in oil on canvas. The painting exemplifies the Surrealist movement, which sought to channel the unconscious to unlock the power of the imagination. The artwork is currently held in a private collection.
The painting features a dreamlike scene with a contorted figure that appears to have elements resembling the skin or form of a rhinoceros, this is amalgamated with stylistic references to Illisos, an ancient Greek sculpture attributed to the sculptor Phidias. The backdrop of the artwork displays a stark, almost barren landscape with a dark, overcast sky under which the figure seems to repose or float in an undefined liquid or space.
Within the figure, a complex arrangement of fragmented forms and objects can be observed, which could be interpreted as a symbolic representation of thoughts and ideas swirling within the mind or as pieces of the physical sculpture. Notable is the geometric structure resembling a cube frame, perhaps evoking the concept of mathematical precision or metaphysical space, situated near the center of the composition. Below the main figure, smaller objects are scattered, contributing to the chaotic yet meticulously organized scene that is a hallmark of Dali’s surreal compositions.
The seascape in the background with a solitary rock evokes a feeling of isolation and the endless expanse of the subconscious, a recurring theme in Surrealist art. The use of light and shadow gives volume to the forms, enhancing the three-dimensional illusion in the otherwise ethereal and enigmatic tableau.
