The Persistence of Memory

Our arts teacher told us to pick three painting and make an analysis. Here's one of them .. This painting really caught my attention and I know that it has a very deep meaning..

The Persistence of Memory

Painted by Salvador Dali

The title of the artwork is “The Persistence of Memory” by Salvador Dali. This painting was created during the year 1931 using oil on a 9.5 in by 13 in canvas. This is also one of Dali’s well-known painting. 

            This is a surrealist work by Dali that shows melting pocket watches. There are four in the painting. A weird fading creature can be seen at the front. it seems to be duck-like, but has two small eyes at one side and a giant eyelash below the eyes. Anta and flies were present. Platforms were also shown at the front and at the back. Snow at the back while a sand-like surface at the front. At the back, yellow rock formations can be seen. Lastly, a different colored sky can be noticed as the overall background.

Dali used a lot of different forms for the painting. There was no similarities between the lines too. The axis is undoubtedly horizontal. Also, round and irregular shapes were used. Both light and dark colors were present, but cool colors were more dominant. For the texture, it has a hardness and softness effect.

The use of lines for the painting made it very mysterious. For that, the intensity of the painting is big especially when you add up the colors used and shading. Proper spacing was not visible; everything is scattered and the picture has dull moments.

Emphasis was not given, everything can be seen of equal importance with the other. The painting is not balanced; the left side has more weight than the right. The left side has more spaces. There was no harmony, each object does not connect with the other. Some also overlap. Variety is very visible; different shapes, forms and texture was shown. The movement is quite complicated; it looks still yet not. There is rhythm is present but low; this is due to the shading and lighting. Proportions is very disturbed and no unity. There is a depth in it.

Salvador Dali used surrealism as his technique. This is proven becsuse the artwork  featured the element of surprise and unexpected juxtapositions. He also exposed psychological truth by stripping ordinary objects of their normal significance, in order to create a compelling image that was beyond ordinary formal organization.

He created this painting to show that things appear strong and always purposeful but there will come a point where they fade away and become somewhat useless. Dali also admitted that his idea came from hallucinations. He said drugs and dream are his driving forces.

In his painting, pocket watches were melting on a branch and on the rocks. This is a bit deceiving to some. The reason for that is the fact that it is fantasy but it was placed over a life-like setting. It can be interpreted that hard objects can become limp in a n infinite dreamscape.

There was also this uncommon creature lying in the sand --- looking lifeless. Some art historians say that it actually has Dali’s face. Meaning, he pictured himself somewhat peaceful and yet lost with no concept of time to keep him going forward.

It was revealed too, that the cliff at the back is actually real. It can be seen in Catalonia, the place he grew up. Something interesting can be seen too, the ants. They were painted to the melting watch. It shows that it is decaying. As what they’ve said “…..like a rotting flesh”

Overall, what Dali wants to say is that no matter the lack of time, things will come to an end somehow.

“An eye-catching painting,” is what I’ll call it. At first glance, a lot of people will be fascinated by this artwork. It is very unique. It can also be interpreted in a lot of ways. Looking t it will make the viewer more curious as he/she interprets it. It has a very deep meaning even though it has no balance, proportions and unity. I am very puzzled of the title. If a person looks into it, he/she might give a title related to time of puzzle. Yet, Dali named it with the use of the word “memory”.

For the criteria, it’s suited to be: Meaning, Theme, Uniqueness and Impact. For the Meaning, I give it a 10 because it has different form of it; I give it a 9 for the theme for it is not common and it is very interesting; Uniqueness—I give it a 9 and lastly, I give ten for the Impact --- it is really attractive in a lot of ways.

Mysterious yet magnificent!