“The Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus” is a significant work by Salvador Dali, created between 1958 and 1959. The painting is executed in oil on canvas, measuring an impressive 410 by 310 centimeters. This artwork is categorized as a history painting and is deeply rooted in the Surrealist movement, a period known for its dream-like imagery and unexpected juxtapositions. Currently, the artwork is housed at the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, United States.
The artwork presents a complex and symbolic representation of Columbus’s arrival in the Americas. At the forefront, a Christian missionary stands, enshrouded in a flowing robe that takes on the appearance of a sail, symbolizing perhaps the voyage and European religious influence. Below, a young man, who may represent an idealized version of Columbus in his prime, stands on what appears to be a part of a ship, his stance mirroring that of a conqueror taking first steps on new land.
To the left of the main figure, is a darkened, disembodied arm holding a cross, which could signify the role of the Christian faith in the colonization process. A spectral figure of a robed woman floats above, possibly an allegory for the voyage’s divine guidance or patronage.
The background is fragmented and chaotic, with various objects floating in a wide expanse of sky and water, blurring the lines between sea, land, and air. This creates an otherworldly landscape that defies conventional perspective, a hallmark of Dali’s style. There is a sense of drama in the upward movement of the figures and flags toward the heavenly spirals, lending a celestial feel to the scene.
Dali’s use of color and light gives the painting an ethereal quality, while the precise details and the inclusion of both Christian and indigenous symbols weave a complex narrative about the meeting of different worlds and the associated transformations. Each element of the work seems carefully placed to invoke contemplation on the historical event’s implications, enveloped by the mystique and ambiguity characteristic of his surrealist works.
