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Moma Ref.: The Artistic Importance Research Proposal

Dali simply lets his train of thoughts run freely and, in the process, allows the creation of different expressions full of meaning. One such expression is the figure that is seen in the central of the painting. Many, including the museum's description of the painting, point out that this is, in fact, "an approximation of Dali's own face in profile" (Museum of Modern Art, 2006). At the same time, on a different level and pushing the analysis further, Nathaniel Harris points out that Dali's figure is also a "a transparent, near-extinct version of the self" (Harris, 2002). One can understand another reason why this painting is a reference painting: Dali's does not pass on his messages in a simple, straightforward way, but rather uses symbols to do so and allows the viewer to use his or her own creativity in order to understand the painting.

This is true for some of the other symbols, such as the ants or the crutch, which generally appear as symbols in many other paintings that Dali has completed as well. These elements reflect best the idea according to which "Dali's work is that it represents a clash of two different sides: real and imagination" (Simply Einstein, 2007). Indeed, these are elements from the real world, but in the work of art, they have been transformed into...

The crutch, for example, can represent things (other persons, individuals, activities, objects) that support our struggle in life.
Overall, the common theme and common denominator throughout the painting seems to be the inexorable passage of time and the challenges and anguishes that the individuals face because of this.

III. Conclusion

The painting by Dali is a perfect combination of expression means and instruments and underlying philosophical perspectives and beliefs that give a better idea on the artist's take on the world around him, on life in general and on the development of individuals. It is also interesting how the artist chooses to present his vision of the passage of time, in the form of a distorted reality, that in which the solid form becomes fluid.

Bibliography

1. Harris, Nathaniel. The Life and Works of Dali. Paragon Books. 2002.

2. The Museum of Modern Art. (2006). Salvador Dali Collection. Retrieved December 2, 2009 from http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?object_id=79018

3. Clocking with Salvador Dali: Salvador Dali's Melting Watches. On the Internet at http://www.salvadordalimuseum.org/education/documents/clocking_in.pdf. Last retrieved on December 2, 2009

Sources used in this document:
Bibliography

1. Harris, Nathaniel. The Life and Works of Dali. Paragon Books. 2002.

2. The Museum of Modern Art. (2006). Salvador Dali Collection. Retrieved December 2, 2009 from http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?object_id=79018

3. Clocking with Salvador Dali: Salvador Dali's Melting Watches. On the Internet at http://www.salvadordalimuseum.org/education/documents/clocking_in.pdf. Last retrieved on December 2, 2009
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