“Study for the Decoration of the Ceiling in Pubol” is a sketch and study created by Salvador Dali in 1970. As a work from the latter part of Dali’s career, it falls within the Surrealist art movement, an avant-garde movement that sought to release the creative potential of the unconscious mind. Dali, known for his vivid and bizarre images, contributed significantly to Surrealism with his fantastical creations.
The artwork presents a complex, layered composition that appears to be a conceptual plan for a ceiling painting. Through its vertical format, the viewer’s gaze is drawn upwards, mirroring the perspective one would naturally have when looking at an actual ceiling. At the bottom of the artwork, a figure that resembles a classical statue of a draped woman is depicted. She is positioned prominently, serving as an anchoring point of the composition and seems to be stepping out from or into a pool of water.
Moving upward, the viewer encounters bands separated by ornamental frieze-like borders, which create a sense of architectural structure within the sketch. Each band contains a different scene, possibly illustrating the transformation of time or space. The middle section features soft, sky-like blues with floating figures or objects that might evoke thoughts of clouds, celestial bodies, or otherworldly entities. The central part of this section is dominated by a striking, dark circular form, which might represent a sun, a black hole, an eye, or another surreal element, in line with Dali’s enigmatic style.
Throughout the composition, the interplay of light and shadow, alongside the juxtaposition of various textures and elements, conveys a dreamlike atmosphere. The precise architectural notations and measurements around the borders of the sketch indicate Dali’s attention to the intended physical space, suggesting that this study was part of a larger, practical design process for an actual ceiling project.
Overall, the artwork is characteristic of Dali’s unique approach to Surrealism, blurring the lines between reality and imagination, while also showcasing his technical planning for an environmental, spatial artwork.
