The artwork entitled “Temple – Sketch for a Set Design” was created by the esteemed artist Salvador Dali around the year 1941. This piece is identified with the Surrealism movement, a twentieth-century avant-garde movement that sought to release the creative potential of the unconscious mind. As a genre, Dali’s work falls under sketch and study, implying it may have been a preliminary piece or conceptual artwork, possibly intended to aid in the creation of a larger, more defined work, such as a set design for a stage production.
The artwork showcases the skillful application of Dali’s surrealist techniques, manifesting in a temple-like structure that appears afloat in an ambiguous space. It features a series of columns—both upright and toppled—supporting a pediment characterized by a distinctive, disintegrating appearance. The color palette is subdued, with earthy tones dominating the composition, and a pronounced contrast exists between the solidity of the architectural elements and the intangible, dreamlike quality of the setting. The atmospheric perspective hints at a vast and perhaps illusory depth. Even in its sketch-like form, the artwork is imbued with a sense of mystery and otherworldly presence, aligning well with the surreal essence of Dali’s oeuvre.
