The artwork titled “Scene in the Courtyard of the Escorial with a Figure in the Foreground Inspired by Michelangelo’s ‘Evening’ on the Tomb of Lorenzo di Medici” is a creation by Salvador Dali, completed in 1982. Recognized as a work within the Expressionism movement, it can be categorized under the genre painting discipline. It draws inspiration from Michelangelo’s sculpture “Evening,” while incorporating Dali’s imaginative expressionist touch.
This artwork is characterized by a dreamlike interpretation of the Escorial, which serves as a historical backdrop, juxtaposed with a surreal, nearly formless representation of Michelangelo’s “Evening” sculpture in the foreground. The figure is rendered in a soft, undulating form, reminiscent of melting wax, which defies the solidity traditionally associated with marble sculptures. The fluid transformation of the figure contrasts markedly with the architectural precision of the Escorial courtyard behind it.
Various figures can be observed within the composition, both adjacent to and integrated with the central figure, interacting in peculiar and mysterious ways. The color palette is rather muted, relying primarily on grey tones, which imparts a ghostly or ethereal ambiance to the scene. One can note the presence of additional forms and motifs that seem to defy gravity and conventional spatial relationships, further enhancing the artwork’s surreal and expressionistic qualities.
