Are You Ready for 1965? 1965 is Ready for You

     How have I not included anything from Salvador Dali up to this point?  Ah well, here's "La Gare de Perpignan."

"La Gare de Perpignan" - 1965

     Discerning the symbolism of Dali's work is certainly not an exact science, but I can take a crack at it.  This painting is named after a train station in France called the Perpignan Railway Station.  It was here that Dali had a very profound vision about the origin of the universe in 1963.  This vision led him to declare this train station "the center of the universe."  In light of this, the painting is likely meant to symbolize exactly that.  We see the locomotive (representing the station itself) being placed above Christ and the focal point of these great beams of light, which are the center of the universe.

     To the left, the image of a couple hoisting sacks of grain into a cart represent the value of hard work.  Next to them, a young boy holds his hat in front of him and looks toward the ground.  This body language is typically used to denote respect towards an authority figure (at least during this time period).  If I were to guess, I would say that this quadrant of the image represents the more positive forces in the universe.

     To the right, the outline of a couple fornicating is visible.  Just a ways off from them, a woman clasps her hands together and holds her head down, obviously in mourning.  This segment of the image also has a much cooler, bluer color scheme to it.  All these things together, as well as this quadrant's position opposite the one containing the good positive forces in the universe, lead me to believe that this represents the negative aspects of the universe, the examples given being sin and suffering.

     In addition to all this imagery, the theme of grain sacks is ever-present.  I feel this is meant to symbolize all that is to be gained from these different aspects of the universe.  If we look at the sacks on the positive side, they all have a more uniformly round, full look to them.  Conversely, on the side f negativity, we see the sacks, while certainly not empty, lack the fullness of their counterparts.  They are all limp around the midsection, still hollow.

     At the bottom of the painting, a child stares up at the center of the universe, with a sack of his own, filled with all he has experienced and learned through his childhood.  This child is neutrality.  He has yet to decide which side of the universe to gravitate towards, though he has taken steps in the direction of sin and suffering.  Perhaps he was tempted by the "pair" of shoes seen just above him to the right.  I put quotation marks around the word "pair" because one of the shoes appears to be merely a reflection of the other, perhaps representing the illusory advantages of instant material gratification.

My Opinion:

     I really love this painting.  The imagery is so evocative and engaging, even on a purely visual level: it's just nice to look at.  The colors are warm and smooth and the images presented are pleasing to the eye.  Definitely a fine piece of work from Mr. Dali.

Hope to see you again next time!