The artwork titled “Still Life. Pomegranates” was created by the artist Salvador Dali, circa 1919. It is emblematic of the Post-Impressionism art movement and is categorized under the still life genre. The painting is an early work of Dali, who would later become renowned for his surrealistic creations, yet here we observe a more conventional approach that aligns with the practices of Post-Impressionism.
In the artwork, the central focus is on the pomegranates that are rendered with a level of detail that draws the viewer’s eye. The fruit, sliced open to reveal its inner seeds, is depicted in rich, warm tones of red and yellow, contrasted against a muted, darker background that allows the colors of the pomegranates to stand out prominently. The texture of the fruit’s flesh is palpable, with the painterly strokes suggesting both the rough outer skin and the juicy interior. Additional fruit is placed adjacent to the pomegranates, contributing to the composition and reinforcing the still life theme. The play of light and shadow in the piece is subtle, creating a sense of volume and dimensionality for the objects portrayed. Through this work, one can observe the influences of Post-Impressionist techniques, such as the emphasis on subjective interpretation and the use of bold colors, which would later evolve into Dali’s more famous surrealist style.
