The artwork by Salvador Dali, titled “Untitled – Equestrian Figure of Prince Baltasar Carlos, after Velazquez, with Figures in the Courtyard of the Escorial,” was created in 1982 and is a part of the Neo-baroque and Surrealism movements. The genre of the artwork is a portrait, and its creation pays homage to historical art pieces while incorporating the distinct surreal interpretation characteristic of Dali’s oeuvre.
The artwork presents a striking visual that amalgamates the traditional with the surreal. Central to the composition is the equestrian figure, which is a reinterpretation of Diego Velázquez’s Prince Baltasar Carlos on Horseback. The figure is rendered with meticulous attention to the armour’s detail and the dynamism of the horse in motion, a direct nod to the classical style of Velázquez. However, Dali’s signature surreal elements become apparent when one examines the surroundings. The figures and the landscape appear to be enveloped in darkness, punctuated by enigmatic light sources and a foreboding sky, which imbue the scene with an otherworldly and dream-like quality. These qualities, along with the peculiar floating or distorted elements that subtly pepper the background, disclose a universe where reality is contorted by the surreal lens of Dali.
