Salvador Dali’s “Christ of St. John of the Cross” has evoked admiration, criticism and controversy ever since its first exhibition in 1952. Describing this artwork as the summary of all of his previous aesthetic experiments, Dali (1904 – 1989) based this painting upon a drawing from Saint John of the Cross which inspired a “cosmic” dream in which Dali saw Christ as the nucleus of the universe. Known for his hallucinatory images, Dali was a pioneering Surrealist who also worked in Classical and Impressionist styles, and created oils, watercolors, sculptures, films, photos and performance pieces.
Flamboyant and groundbreaking Spanish artist Salvador Dali is considered one of the 20th century’s greatest artists. An icon of the Surrealist movement his blend of eccentric perspectives and controversial influences resulted in wildly imaginative, unforgettable dreamscapes that are uniquely Dali. Inspired by Freud, Dali accessed his subconscious to create more intense artistic expression. Creatively prolific, he produced 1,500 paintings, along with sculptures, drawings, films, clothing and jewelry.