The artwork titled “The Swimming Pool in Port Lligat” was created by Salvador Dali between 1969 and 1970. Contrary to what might be suggested, the art movement it belongs to is not Expressionism, as Salvador Dali was an iconic figure of Surrealism, a movement known for its bizarre and fantastical imagery, challenging viewers’ perceptions of reality. The genre of the artwork is landscape, a common theme in Dali’s oeuvre where he often depicted scenes from his beloved Catalonian environment in a surreal manner.
In this artwork, Dali presents a dreamlike vision of a landscape, presumably inspired by the environs of his residence in Port Lligat, Spain. The colors are vibrant, with a prominence of yellows and blues, adding to the surreal quality of the scene. The composition features a peculiar juxtaposition of elements such as disembodied swans swimming in a watering can and a cyprès tree growing from its center, with plant-like forms that emerge fluidly from the watering can onto what seems to be a terrace. There is also an arched doorway leading to an undefined space and architectural elements that blend with the natural scenery.
The scene merges various natural and man-made facets in a single plane, evoking a sense of dislocation and surprise characteristic of Dali’s approach to his landscapes; he transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary through his unique visual language. The artwork reflects Dali’s fascination with the subconscious and hallucinatory realms, as is evident in the fantastical and illogical assembly of objects. It blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, inviting viewers into a world where the laws of nature are subverted by the boundless imagination of the artist.
