From Dalí's work, we can see how the purest meaning of Surrealism emerges. This art allowed him to escape from his daily life, and if we analyze his works, we see how we can discern various recurring symbolisms that allowed him to express his own personality.
1. Dalí's cast clocks
They represent the omnipresence of time and identify his dominion over humanity. This idea came to Dalí when he dreamed of a Camembert cheese and how it was unable to withstand high temperatures, melting without resistance.
"The Persistence of Memory", 1931, Museum of Modern Art, New York.
2. Dalí's Ants
Death is a recurring theme in surrealism, and Dalí presents it in the form of ants, alluding to the decomposition of the body. This use arose from Dalí's memory of seeing an insect that had been devoured by ants, leaving only its shell.
"The Ants" , 1929
3. Dali's Eggs
It's the symbol that most represents him, and it refers to love and the hope of life. The anecdote that gives rise to the egg is that before he was born, his parents had a son named Salvador, who died at the age of five. When they decided to have another child, they gave him the same name to honor the deceased.
"Eggs on a Plate Without the Plate" , 1932. The Dali Museum, St. Petersburg, Florida
4. Dalí's crutches
Crutches of all kinds appear in Dalí's work. Crutches are a symbol of reality and a support for walking, which is why in his work they are considered an anchor in real life. They are also a symbol of tradition, upholding essential human values.
"The Dream" , 1937.
5. Dali's Elephants
Strength and endurance are the two words that define this symbol in Dalí's works. They are often depicted with long, multi-jointed, and very thin, almost invisible legs, and are always shown carrying something. They also represent the future.
"The Temptation of Saint Anthony" , 1946.
6. Dalí's drawers
These drawers emerge from Freud's explanation as a representation of hidden female sexuality. Dalí depicts most of them slightly ajar, indicating that their secrets are exposed and there is no reason to fear them.
"The Anthropomorphic Desk" , 1936.
7. Dalí's Snails
A symbol used in connection with a very significant event in Dalí's life: his encounter with Sigmund Freud. The geometry, the hardness of the shell, and the slowness of the animal captivated him, and he didn't hesitate to incorporate it into his works, especially when he wanted to emphasize psychoanalysis.
"The Snail and the Angel" , 1977.
