Portrait of Gala with two ribs of lamb balancing on her shoulder by Salvador Dali

Portrait of Gala with two ribs of lamb balancing on her shoulder by Salvador Dali

The portrait is very miniature, its size is only 6.8×8.8 cm. But it represents a full and stylistically perfect picture and is very accurately verified compositionally. This small canvas is saturated with scrupulously drawn details, which, however, add up in a surrealistic fantasy.

The scene of the painting is an abandoned courtyard. Half-ruined walls, a collapsed well, ruins, debris. The entire left side of the picture is occupied by a female head, depicted in close-up. This is Gala, the wife of Salvador Dali. Her eyes are closed, a slight smile on her lips. On high cheekbones is a blush, lips are tinted.

Every detail of the painting literally immerses the viewer into the atmosphere of a warm summer day. Gala is sunbathing. Her pose, her expression, all speaks of her enjoying the sun’s rays. The white strap contrasts with the swarthy skin of the shoulder. Beads on the neck sparkle with reflected light, attracting the viewer’s eyes. The courtyard is flooded with golden shining.

In the right part of the picture, the light seems a little greenish, like the sun breaking through the crowns of trees. An interesting detail is a tiny cyclist half-hidden behind the ruins of a well. It is as colorless and sketchy as its shadow falling on a rocky ground.

On the shoulder of Gala – a round tanned female shoulder – breaking the law of attraction, balancing two mutton ribs. Dali himself said that he painted in the picture two things that he loves: his wife and mutton chops on the ribs. Gala here stands or sits, leaning back slightly and leaning back on the man’s chest; the viewer sees the fabric of the shirt, the buttons, but the man himself remains outside the boundaries of the image. Most likely, this is none other than Dali himself. And, therefore, the treat, lying on such an exquisite stand, is intended for him. The artist collected everything in one tiny canvas that gives him pleasure: an adored woman, a favorite food, the warmth of a summer day.

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)