I love studying art, particularly those of the late 19th and early 20th century avant-garde art movements when artists used seemingly unconventional methods to create new pieces. It excites me that artworks can transform your mood and even your surroundings, as if you are immersed in the drawn or painted scene itself. My passion posts consist of analyses of my favorite modern artworks, and by the distinct style of this work, you probably know which artist’s work I am diving into.

During the early 20th century, psychologist Sigmund Freud made theories pertaining to the unconsciousness and dreams, prompting many artists to depict the unconsciousness and dreams through their works, and beginning the Surrealist movement. Surrealists believed that insanity was the breaking of the chains of logic, and depicted this idea through creating unimaginable scenes. One of these artists was painter Salvador Dalí, whose unique style that deeply explored Freud’s idea of psychoanalysis can be identified for almost any of his works.

One of my favorite Dalí paintings, The Burning Giraffe, depicts a blue female figure surrounded by an unearthly landscape with another female figure and a burning giraffe in the background. I particularly love this painting because there are three subjects, with the title giraffe being part of the background rather than being the primary focal point. The primary subject of the painting is rather the faceless blue female figure supported by crutches behind her, and has drawers coming out of her body and exposed muscular tissue. Similarly, another faceless female figure supported by crutches stands farther back and holds a piece of flesh. The figure farther back, however, has no drawers and seems to be supported by more crutches.

The open drawers on the primary subject imply the fascination with psychoanalysis and Freud’s work at the time, as the drawers can almost be thought of as doors into the subconscious. It’s almost as though Dalí was suggesting that exploring the subconscious could cause humans to become more independent when facing the issues of the time. In particular, the crutches that support the figures could be implying that women are dependent on their male counterparts, further emphasizing the importance of exploring the subconscious.

The title subject of the painting, the burning giraffe, stands far back yet catches my attention the most because of the contrasting orange flames compared to the blue central figure and landscape. Considering that the 1937 painting was created during the Spanish Civil War, which was also the time leading up to World War II, the burning giraffe could be seen as a reference to war and the turmoil it causes. I think that because the figure with the open drawers is being supported by less crutches than the other figure who has less drawers, Dalí was conveying that exploration of the subconscious could resolve the threat of war.

This work offers viewers an almost psychedelic scene that embodies the style of Dalí, but as viewers look further into the painting’s three subjects, a fundamental message regarding the important matter of war is conveyed.