“Still Life Fish with Red Bowl” is a work by Salvador Dali, created during the years 1923 to 1924. At this time, Dali’s artistic expression was rooted in Realism, an art movement focusing on the representation of subjects as they appear in everyday life, without embellishment or interpretation. This particular artwork is categorized within the still life genre, which typically depicts inanimate subject matter.
The artwork vividly captures the simplicity and tactile nature of its subjects through a realistic representation. Dominating the composition, there is a large red bowl that cradles a single fish, its silvery scales reflecting light, testament to Dali’s attention to detail and texture. Lying adjacent to the bowl on a draped cloth, a second fish mirrors the first, offering a sense of symmetry and balance to the scene. The background features muted tones that do not vie for attention but rather serve to accentuate the central subject matter. Additionally, a dark bottle provides a vertical counterpoint to the horizontal layout of the fish, contributing a depth to the composition. A smaller, multi-colored object, possibly a toy or a piece of fruit, is partially visible in the lower left corner, adding a touch of variety to the otherwise limited color palette. Overall, the artwork is a testament to Dali’s skill in rendering everyday objects with a sense of immediacy and precision characteristic of the Realist movement.
