Salvador Dali's Crucifixion - Analysis
87
Crucifixion (Corpus Hypercubus) by Salvador Dalí. (1954)
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.
The image shown here is claimed to be used under fair use as:
- It is a historically significant painting, as per the information in the article.
- The image is only being used for informational purposes.
- Its inclusion in the article adds significantly to the article because it shows the art of the subject of this article and how the image depicted is familiar to the general public.
- The image is readily available on the Internet.
A surreal crucifixion
Dali's paintings make a great intro to surrealism and modern art. Look at this one. If not for the cubes, Crucifixion (Corpus Hypercubus) would look, at first glance, like an old master's piece.
Surrealism is the rendering of dreams in literature, art or music. Surrealists were influenced by that old Freud, Sigmund. Dali's brand of surrealism consisted of double images, floating objects, morphs....the stuff of dreams. For example, he has painted self-portraits on one of the knees of the crucified Christ, and the cubic cross floats above a giant chessboard. His wife, Gala, stands beside the cross, possibly standing for Mary Magdalene. What say, Dan Brown?
The cube motif is everywhere. Gala stands on one, the floor has black and white squares, and the four cubic nails form a square. Does the hypercube symbolise space-time? Does Dali mean that Christ is the Lord for all eternity, not bound by the limitations of time? He rose on the third day, didn't He? That message is rendered as a visual oxymoron. The world was given a Christ and they crucified Him. But did he stay transfixed? Only in images and sculptures. On the third day, He chose to transcend space time and rose.
Here, Dali shows Him fixed to the cross, but not fixed. He levitates, and projects Himself. Rising above His mortal avatar, His suffering, the earth's gravity, hate, war, death, passions...everything. Get it? The buoyancy of Absolute Love versus the gravity of hate.
What is your insight?
Christ of Saint John of the Cross by Salvador Dalí, 1951
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow
The image shown here is claimed to be used under fair use as:
- It is a historically significant painting, as per the information in the article.
- The image is only being used for informational purposes.
- Its inclusion in the article adds significantly to the article because it shows the art of the subject of this article and how the image depicted is familiar to the general public.
- The image is readily available on the Internet.
Divine Light
I love Dali's dreamy lighting. That's half the secret of the timelessness of his paintings. You can stand there looking at it for hours, and it can seem like a minute to you. Or possibly days. The light contributes to that effect, along with the geometrical composition.
I learnt to draw shadows from this picture. Look at the detail where I zoomed up the shadow of the hand. Crisp shadows, almost like Caravaggio's. Except they are not dark, but more realistic.
The Hidden Geometry
By now, after the Last Supper and the Supper at Emmaus, you must be quite an expert at finding out the hidden geometry of visual art? You are a great student of Art! Come here, please, and discover for yourself before reading what I think. Click on image to view bigger and better.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Well, see if we match. If we do, then we congratulate each other. If we don't we learn from each other!
There is a heavy vertical grid, obviously by the presence of the cubes. Vertical lines, subliminally evoke feelings of stability, monuments, edifices, spiritual progress...Why? Think about it. The horizontal lines add to the stability of earthy matters. And provides a base for the subject.
.
There are two triangles formed if you notice. From the Last Supper and Supper at Emmaus, you know that triangles mean stability and security. But not when they are inverted! The inverted triangle creates a feeling of tension and uneasiness inside us. Like a big cone about to topple. Here Christ is an inverted triangle, designed to create a little tension and dynamism in the picture. See?
To illustrate this concept further, I show you another crucifixion Dali did. See the inverted triangle? That's the painting I'm going to do next time. By which time, you will all be experts at reading the secret geometry of art. Praise be to God.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.After that, since you have been a good student, gentle reader, I give you a light break. Enjoy the video!
 | Amazon Price: $37.79 List Price: $59.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $49.95 List Price: $14.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $12.48 List Price: $19.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $7.75 List Price: $14.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $10.00 List Price: $21.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $11.17 List Price: $17.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $4.44 List Price: $8.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $19.95 List Price: $37.50 |
vote upvote downshareprintflag
- Useful (1)
- Funny (1)
- Awesome (5)
- Beautiful (3)
- Interesting (3)
CommentsLoading...
I love this:
"Here, Dali shows Him fixed to the cross, but not fixed. He levitates, and projects Himself. Rising above His mortal avatar, His suffering, the earth's gravity, hate, war, death, passions...everything. Get it? The buoyancy of Absolute Love versus the gravity of hate." <-----you
another wonderful hub. I love dali anyway. nice choice. :)
Thank you Funride! Now what's left for me to analyse, LOL!
Ah, Iðunn, you know my secret! The best way to make me blush and mumble is to quote me to me! Thank you, kind soul!
you're considerably more quotable than I am. :p
There I beg to differ, but I appreciate the graciousness behind the statement, and accept it in kind. Thank you.
I realize that this is the first time that I have seen the complete paiting. Now I can view the figure standing below. Kenny, you have given me many more dimensions of reality with this fine Hub.
Patty
Dimension is the key to this, Patty, right! Thank you!
Kenny, I must admit, I am a new student of art. I really enjoy your hubs and your analysis of each piece. I've learned some important things about art from you, thank you. Keep them coming.
Kenny
Once again you have given me an opportunity to ponder the beauty and message of true art. At first glance I tend to shy away from this type of art because surrealistic art is more for the abstract thinker than I view myself to be. Upon taking the time to ponder this piece however, I wonder if to truly enjoy surrealistic art more time must be invested by the viewer. That said I have found by pondering on the beauty of the picture some incredible insights I might have otherwise missed.
By noticing the inverted triangle that is formed by Christ and the cross, I have been reminded that the inverted triangle is a symbol of the condescension that a God made to atone for the world, or man. Basically, it is heaven pointing toward earth. The image of the artists self-portrait that is in the knee of the Christ is a suggestion to me that he as accepted Him as his savior, thus "every knee will bow and every tongue confess, that Jesus is The Christ" becomes evident at the placement of the portrait. The positioning of Gala his wife in the position of the triangle looking toward heaven, is symbolic to me of man looking toward God. When those two triangles converge they form the six-pointed star. In the scriptures stars are often used to symbolize endless posterity of those who are faithful to the Abrahamic Covenant. When a husband and wife enter into that covenant together with Christ they have a potential of receiving those promises. The cubes or squares represent to me, the earth or the world, sometimes referred to the "four corners of the world". I feel that with the amount of these symbols present in this picture it may suggest that the Atonement was infinite and eternal, a gift to everyone. Christs free floating position also suggests that he over came the world. Obviously, I have gleaned a lot from your art classes... for this I am grateful to you.
That video was great! Great hub, too! :)
Kenny, don' want to embarass you but I have never met a teacher of art like you! You are indeed a gift to the community; not only do you provide us with great hubs, your kindness in how you treat everyone shines through. As you can see, I am a fan of your hubs. LOL!
Dear Wehzo, I am delighted to have a 'new' student. Thank you for the honour of allowing me to be your first guide to art! :)
Oh, wow, Doghouse! I invited Dan Brown, and I got a better guy: you! That was wonderful! Now, visitors will read your analysis and be inspired! Enthused is the word, I think.
Thank you, Isabella! Fun video that! :)
Violet, I don't mind this embarassment, thank you!
Don't look now, but your kindness is showing.
Through your comment, LOL!
you are wonderful kenny..am speechless..any way to far above this simple one sitting here commenting to a professor of EVERYTHING.Loving what you do..am happy about that first sleepless night!!!! G-Ma :O) hugs
I'm only a jack of all trades, G-ma, and not far above. Not far, either, thanks to the internet. I feel you very near, actually. What simple one? You?
You have seen it all, G-Ma.
But you are SIMPLY super and SIMPLY kind! Hugs. :)
Oh you are a rascal aren't you? always a kind word for every one..I guess that is why you are so well thought of....and I think a lot of you G-ma :O) Hugs
First time I love being called a rascal, hehe! Hugs, G-Ma.
you keep changing your photo...just to keep us all on our toes? This is a good one..:O) Hugs G-Ma :O)
My son keeps doing it, and anyway, you didn't like the last one. Ah, thanks for liking this. :)
Hi Kenny -
Great work, again. The Christ of St John of the Cross is probably the first painting I was consciously aware of. We used to live not too far from Glasgow and often went to the Kelvingrove Museum (usually just called the Art Gallery by the locals). I'm talking about the 50s, when the painting was pretty new. For years, they hung it not in a gallery, but at the top of the main staircase leading up from the museum floor to the art floor. The setting was magnificent and the strong symmetry of the Victorian architecture was the perfect background, extension almost, of the painting. Much later, probably in the 80s, the painting was moved to a new Museum of Culture (I think) in another part of Glasgow. But the setting was not a patch on the original, and besides, Glasgow folk don't like 'their' traditions being messed with, so after much protest, it was returned to its proper home in Kelvingrove.
Kenny you have stun me and surpassed yourself.
Kindness in abundance
Hasn't he though MrMarmalade....
Kenny..... and so what if I didn't favor the last photo?...so your son is having fun with you...good and you seem like.... it is fun also..Good dad that you are.I wish I had more photo's to show that are good..oh well this is not a chat line...sorry G-Ma :O) hugs
Paraglider, thank you for that nugget of information. I didn't know all that, this is much appreciated. Did you know you were very lucky? I haven't seen any of the paintings I talk about, live.
Frank, it's my pleasure to kindly stun you.
G-Ma, please post more photos.
I love your existing one, but would like to see you from more angles. Hugs. :)
Oh dear here is one on a cruise ship with the chef's in the galley>>>> what fun G-Ma :O) hugs
No I changed it again...this is in my kitchen..hee hee. G-Ma :O) hugs you can delete the one above sweetie
I missed the ship one! :( Now'll go check your pic in your profile, a bigger and brighter G-Ma!
Kenny -
I have truly been edified today.
tDMg
LdsNana-AskMormon
And I'm humbled and honoured by that! Thank you, Nana!
Beautiful hub, Kenny, thanks.
Thank you, Debbie!
Quite an amazing painting
great HUB
regards Zsuzsy
Thank you, Amazsing Bee!
miracles. the rose-coloured glasses replaced, the smiles all real, and miracles raining from the heavens infusing my soul with rose-petals and thoughts of poetry about love.
that is all. :)
Wonderful, Iðunn, wonderful! I am delighted.
That is enough. For now. :)
rose petals are warm, kenny, warm and sweet. they taste like burgundy wine.
Dear poet, you sound drunk on the wine of happiness and your avatar looks like burgundy in a glass! :)
Dear artist, I feel like burgundy in a glass, so then it's the correct choice at this time. :)
Kenny look at all the comments you have here.I am speechless.I can comment on the art part but I know very less about Christianity,though my best friend is a true Christian.I am trying to learn.Thanks for all the info.Geat hub!
Iðunn, hope that's a good thing,and you can flowr out whenever you want to. Free Burgundy!
Thank you, Abhinaya. That's okay. I was a an atheist when I first saw this painting but did not appreciate it the less for that. :)
I really enjoyed this insight into Dali, I'll keep an eye out for your other hubs.
Thank you Sim! Hope you read the next one on Dali, too.
If Dali had been alive he would be impressed with your explanation, not everyone can deduce it. Great painting and analysis. Cheers.
Thank you for that compliment, Cgull. I hope he'll be impressed. :)
I don't know much about art, but I do love Dali. I'd love to hear your take on Persistence of Memory.
thanks for the analysis. I must admit that you have really seen deeper, and unveiled geometry in this particular painting. I am still starting to appreciate art, and with that comes a requirement I need to fullfill: an oral exam explaining the corpus hypercubus. thanks for the idea
Rmr, thank you. Think I'll do that, too, soon.
Tin, thanks for the appreciation.
I'm hoping that I'll start everybody off in being with art longer than usual,
and gaining their own unique insights.
Wow, you are pretty intense for a children's book illustrator!
Really great hub, I love Dali.
Hehe, Retro Mama, this is my secret side, like Mr Hyde!
Thanks for a unique comment!
>The buoyancy of Absolute Love versus the gravity of hate.
Thanks for posting this hub. Your insight has delighted me.
Aw, what is the use of an insight if it's not shared? Your comment has buoyed me up, thanks, Joni!
I have loved Dali since I was a teen. And I ain't no teen no more. Back in my late thirties - early forties I got to go to Washington, D.C. to the National Art Museums (there's the East and West one). I just did not get to spend enough time there. I love artists, art and art museums (along with SCIFI and fantasy as well!)
Beyond being struck by a Monet from about 60 feet away - when I went downstairs (into the tunnel that connects the two museums) I gasped. There above the staircase, was the Last Supper - Dali's Last Supper - which is like and unlike Leonardo's.
Thank you for this!
Laurie B.
Thank you for sharing that experience, Laurie.
Dali's Last Supper is wonderful, in the real sense of the word. Do you want to do a hub on that? If you do, I'll link it to this for the benefit of my visitors.
hi kenny
great consistent work.
is it the fact that you are an atheist that helps you analyse christ on the cross (without blinking your eye lid)?
TT, thank you.
I was an atheist, not now. And I blinked, but can't just stand there blinking, can I? Atleast for the sake of my readers? :)
Wonderful hub,thanks.
Thank you, Sligobay.
Went to the Dali Exhibit at the Philadelphia Art Museum a couple years ago with my 10 year old son and my hubbie. It was an amazing experience to see the art of Dali so closely. This hub and your insights as well as the great comments brought the experience back to me in shivers! Thank you! Best, Mary g.
Thank you, Mary, for feeling that this hub helped you relive the experience.
Regards to you and your family.
Kenny
Wow, this is fantastic. Please keep enlightening me. By the way, I gave you a thumbs up for such an excellent hub.
Thanks for the visit, thumbs up and calling this hub fantastic, Angela. Delighted that you like it so much, and hope you take a look at my other art hubs.
Dear Friend thanks for all that. i wish you for all great work its wonderful i dont know how to tell. your analysis is very great. I really enjoyed this insight into Dali, I'll keep an eye out for your other hubs.
Thank you and welcome to my hubs, Friend. Why don't you also write here?
Kenny, I will never look at another picture by Dali in quite the same way. Now I will be looking for shapes and meanings, not just at the picture. Thanks that was fascinating.
Donna
Donna, I am delighted to have made a difference in the way you look at art. No doubt you will share that attitude with people you touch, too! Thank you.
Surrealism has always been one of my favorites- in fact some of my artwork, especially in the earlier days- was definitely surreal-There is something so much deeper than meets the eye-there is hidden meaning that sometimes we can pick up- or sometimes only the artist knows what he meant to say and we never know what the true intention was.Dali is one of my favorite artists- and this is a beautiful painting.Great hub!
Hi Dorsi!
Surrealism allows us to give form to our subconscious visions and touch other minds, too. Whatever Dali wants to say does not matter when we look at his work, possess it and enjoy it with our interpretations.
Thank you for that insight.
Kenny, I continue to learn from you as well as reading everybody's comments. Thank you. :)
I learnt a lot of things from my visitors, too; I'm truly fortunate.
Thank you, Michelle! :)
Great pices of explanation of art I feel I have entered and area described too sacred for me to tread. All that I can say is the pieces are inspirational. Your children's books must be beautifully illustrated
Juliet, thank you for these very kind comments. I do my best when I work for children, so I hope they are as beautiful as you say.
But art is not too sacred to tread. My main thing in life is to welcome everybody into that area. :)
{{{ But art is not too sacred to tread. My main thing in life is to welcome everybody into that area. :) }}}
Keep up the great work - you do this so well!
Just like you welcome everybody into art through the door of poetry, O Paraglider!
Thanks for the comment, I'm honoured.
Thank you for such a great inspirational hub Kenny!
Thank you for reading it, Perfumer!
I would like to thank you for one great information about this painting.
Actually, we have this group exam and we have to analyze this particular painting. And I have to admit, your hub will really help us.
Aside from your help for our exam. You did make me realize how wonderful art is. Before reading your hub, I completely had no idea about this painting. But through you, I did understand things. I am also inspired by the hideen meanings in this painting.
I have to say, I am beginning to lovelooking at paintings differently. And that's because of you.
Again, thank you so much!
Sheyd, I am honoured! And delighted, of course!
"I have to say, I am beginning to love looking at paintings differently. And that's because of you." - that is what I wanted to achieve, so thank you for making me feel so great!
I agree with Sheyd, Kenny. Your work here also helps so many of us that received no art or art appreciation training in schools because of budget cuts (even at college level) resulting from the horrid verbalized attitude that "art is a waste of time."
Bless you!
Hi, thanks, Patty! Oh you have changed your avatar after ages! Now you are a cool blue! :)
Just discovered your writing and since you labeled this as your favorite or best, I started reading this hub first. I love art and create some. Now I know what a treat I have in store for me in reading more of your hubs. You also have a new fan.
Thank you Peggy for making me feel very good. :)
Watcha Kenny, interesting, senisible and well argued take that I wouldn't argue with.[there is a rule of grammer, it really is a myth, never use a preposition, to end a sentance with] :-) I think there may be other forms of symbolism, one I can think of at the mo is from the Buddha, All life is suffering, don't get what you want and you suffer, get what you want and you suffer, you might lose it; is Mary the embodiment of the world and that form of suffering? Did Jesus give the world what it wanted? Well no, he gave the world what it needed, the people didn't recognize that and they nailed him to a cross, and continued the suffering, right to this day. just a few thoughts off the top of my head:-) best Mick
Thank you Mick, for your top-of-the-head thoughts, :)
Beautiful and informative, very interesting! I especially clung to 'the bouyancy of Absolute Love". Thank you for this wonderful hub!
Frogy, please cling to the buoyancy of Absolute Love. The more of us there, the lighter teh world will be. :))
Thank you for making me feel buoyant!
Kenny ,I have been a fan of Dali for ages but have not had the privelage of studying this painting with such detail.
I had no idea that the on looker was his wife.
I join everyone else in thanking you for passing on your knowledge :-) and I have become an instant fan.
Delighted, Agvulpes! I shall become your instant fan too! :)
Crucifixion - I notice a couple of things here. First, there are no nails attaching him physically to the cross, which could represent a perfect ascension.
Dali must have really liked mathematics, it fascinates me that he uses the hypercube here, in this case the three dimensional (unfolded) version of a four dimensional object, representing the fifth dimension, or as you said, a higher plane of existence, that since the development of sting theory in physics (and later M-Theory) is really a hot button for modern day physicists, especially the more philosophical ones.
Thank you Kenny, Its ovious that your heart and soul are in a great place and your Hubs demonstrate your devotion, to the beauty in art. You truly deserve ten Hugs. Ed
Thank you, Ryan, for that added value to my hub! :)
Ed, What you say applies a lot to yourself! Thank you very much for the ten hugs, you deserve double that. :)
Do you know of anywhere I might find more interpretations on the crucifixion by Dali? What I am trying to find is a comparison between realistic and dreamlike elements.
Thank u
http://library.humboldt.edu/art/Artists/Dali_Salva
http://www.theartistsalvadordali.com/salvador-dali
try these Abby.
Wonderful hub, Kenny. Love the lighting and the sense of suspension - thank you for sharing the geometrical angle to the paintings!
Oh Shalini, thank you for this great comment! :)
wow this was really nice, i aspire to study art and reading things like this really open up the mind! thank you :)
Thank you Anoushka! Delighted to be of help! :))
maybe the figure isn't christ at all ... maybe it is infact dali - taking into consideration the era it comes from, his other "religious" works during the 1950's - the fact that christs face is never shown (except sacrament of the last supper, where gala's face is merged with christ's) ... i like to believe that if the heads of the "christ" figures were rotated a few degrees, we would infact see a glorious upturned moustache smiling at us :)
Maybe Dali thought it sacrilegious to show His face? Thanks anyway, Keith. :)
exactly Kenny ;) lol
Thanks for the return Keith! :)
Since I am a newbie, and came across your art this is by far amazing work. Since I believe in Christ, this really inspired me and my ways. I truly believe that art speaks in volumes. Be true to myself, is the message it gave me today. May you be blessed as you bless others though your inspirational art and hubs.
I am overwhelmed by your comment and blessing, Onceuponatime!
Art speaks volumes due to many reasons, and one is that a piece of art changes with who is in its presence and his or her personal interpretation.
Please allow me to wish you the wonderful things you wished me. :)
I've always seen this as a complex depiction of man's need to deconstruct his ego (achieved symbolically through destruction of the object, the physical as such) before being able to reach God. You can feel the tension between the mini cubes and the body, as if the whole thing is about to split into a million different cubes.
Here's George Bataille on Art and the Sacrificial Victim
'It is to this wait that the bait of sacrifice responds. What we have been waiting for all our lives is this disordering of the order that suffocates us. Some object should be destroyed in this disordering (destroyed as an object and, if possible, as something "separate"). We gravitate to the negation of that limit of death, which fascinates like light. For the disordering of the object — the destruction — is only worthwhile insofar as it disorders us, insofar as it disorders the subject at the same time. We cannot ourselves (the subject) directly lift the obstacle that "separates" us. But we can, if we lift the obstacle that separates the object (the victim of the sacrifice), participate in this denial of all separation. What attracts us in the destroyed object (in the very moment of destruction) is its power to call into question — and to undermine — the solidity of the subject. Thus the purpose of the trap is to destroy us as an object (insofar as we remain enclosed — and fooled — in our enigmatic isolation).'
Thank you, Cam! :)
He is a fascinating artist and I have seen some of his works in person, which was awesome. Good article.
Lucky you, Rosetta! And thanks! :)
I went to a Dali exhibit a few years ago in Philly. It was really cool. There were interesting features like having one of Dali's non painted works on display. It was a model of the Crucifixion where you had to look through something similar to a spy glass. It made a really interesting surreal 3-D effect.
Thank you, Stephanie. I hope to look through that spyglass some day. :)
funride 4 years ago
I have no words capable to describe how much I´ve liked all of your art hubs. About this one I´m suspect because Dali is one of my favorite painters of all times.
About the 'Christ of Saint John of the Cross', even though I´m still learning from you, I see Him looking above towards the earth at the same time He is also illuminating it with bright colors that contrast with the darkness around Him.
And to show I already learn something eheheh I can tell you that there is another inverted triangle represented by Christ and also several horizontal lines represented by the cross, the hills and the clouds.
I´ll be looking forward for your hub with your master takes.