“Stultae et prudentes Filiae (Sirach 7:26)” is a gouache artwork created by the renowned artist Salvador Dalí between the years 1964 and 1967. This piece is part of “The Biblia Sacra”, a series that encapsulates religious themes. It is marked by the stylistic influences of Expressionism and Symbolism and belongs to the genre of religious painting. The artwork reflects Dalí’s engagement with biblical subject matter, wherein he applies his unique artistic vision to convey spiritual narratives.
The artwork portrays three figures standing side by side, their stances suggesting an allegorical narrative. The figures appear to be nude, rendered with a degree of abstraction that aligns with the symbolic intent of the piece. Each figure’s pose is distinct, with one facing forward and the others presenting their profiles to the viewer. The expressive outlines suggest movement and a fluidity of form that resonate with the themes of wisdom and folly as found in the biblical reference of Sirach 7:26.
The color palette is subdued, with earthy tones and hints of color that draw the eye without overwhelming the scene. The figures are intertwined with whimsical elements—including what appears to be floating ants and abstract marks—rendering a dreamlike quality that is characteristic of Dalí’s oeuvre.
A sense of narrative and the ethereal interplay between the spiritual and the surreal are communicated through the merging of visual motifs within the artwork. Dalí’s signature can be seen in the lower right corner, anchoring the piece within the context of his expansive body of work. In keeping with Dalí’s fascination with the metaphysical, “Stultae et prudentes Filiae (Sirach 7:26)” invites an introspective consideration of the themes it embodies, allowing the careful observer to decipher its profound religious and existential connotations.
