The artwork “Trulla caementarii in manu Domini (Amos 7:7)” is a religious painting created by the renowned artist Salvador Dali between the years 1964 and 1967. Executed in gouache, it is a striking piece that stands as a testament to Dali’s engagement with the Expressionism and Symbolism art movements. This work forms part of “The Biblia Sacra” series, which reflects Dali’s deep fascination with biblical themes and narratives.
In the artwork, the viewer is presented with an evocative scene rendered in a palette that is at once muted and intense. Dark, bold colors dominate the composition, enveloping the forms in an almost mystical aura. The central figure, delicate and ethereal, is contrasted with the heavier, more abstract elements that swirl around it, suggesting both formlessness and structure. The use of negative space adds to the sense of an unfolding drama that is both stark and imbued with a deep sense of spirituality.
The narrative and symbolic content of the artwork is inherently tied to its biblical reference from the Book of Amos, which invokes themes of divine vision and justice. Dali’s unique treatment of these themes is evident in the fluid, dream-like quality of the figures and forms, characteristic of his approach to the sacred texts. One can discern a mastery of the medium in the way the gouache has been manipulated to serve both expressionistic and symbolic ends, leaving the viewer with a lasting impression of a visionary encounter with the divine.
