The artwork titled “Self-Portrait Being Duplicated into Three” was created by Salvador Dali between the years 1926 and 1927. As a work influenced by the Cubist art movement, this self-portrait exhibits the geometrical fragmentation and abstraction associated with Cubism, which Salvador Dali explored before fully embracing Surrealism.
The composition of the artwork displays the artist’s visage abstracted into a series of shapes and forms that seem to multiply or layer over each other, creating a sense of three-dimensional duplication. The color palette is relatively muted, with the exception of a bold red area, which can be seen as either a background element or as an integral part of one of the duplicated figures. A strong outline defines the central subject against this red backdrop, emphasizing the disjointed aspects of the face and attire. Subtler tones of white, black, and grey intersect and overlap, and the use of shading gives a depth to the forms, contributing to the illusion of three-dimensionality on a two-dimensional canvas. The abstraction challenges the viewer to decipher the human features among the fragmented elements, creating a dynamic and engaging visual experience true to the Cubist style. Notably, at this stage of his career, Dali’s experimentation with Cubism would soon make way for the surreal landscapes and dreamlike themes that he is most famously known for.
