“The Ants” is a work of art by Salvador Dali, created in 1929, utilizing a combination of collage, gouache, and ink. This piece, measuring 11.3 x 16.4 cm, is a symbolic painting indicative of the Surrealist movement. Currently, the artwork is part of a private collection.
The artwork presents a textural background suggesting a surface with an abundance of ants scattered across it. The ants appear to be congregating in clusters, some more dense than others, creating a sense of movement and chaos. On the bottom right, near Salvador Dali’s signature and the work’s date, there is a depiction of a human figure, added to the composition through the technique of collage, suggesting a juxtaposition of scale and theme. The incorporation of ants, a frequent motif in Dali’s work, may symbolize decay and intense psychological distress, which aligns with the Surrealist intent to unlock the subconscious and explore themes beyond the realm of the rational.
