http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTmoCfENZo8
The Basket of Bread (1926)
The purpose of this seemingly tame work is to show that Dali could master the techniques of the old masters (i.e. Vermeer, da Vinci, Velazquez). Having shown off his realistic talent, Dali could now rebel against the starch, predictable Renaissance style and delve straight into surrealism. Although the distinct style of melting watches, swarming ants, and eerie landscapes would not appear found about three more years, Dali still displays great technical skill. The painting depicts a simple cloth, basket, and succulent bread. The image is hyper-realistic and was influenced by Vermeer’s and Velazques’ crisp still lifes and baroque chiaroscuro. “Still Life with lemons and oranges” by the Spanish painter Zurbaran also influenced this work. The light is emanating from the bread itself and from an unknown source on the left. Specific details include the texture of the basket, the subtle tints, the fabric, and the fluffy looking bread. The rough texture of the crust on the bread is contrasted sharply with the soft, almost cloud-like inside. This was the first painting Dali showed outside of Spain in 1928, but Dali continued to use the bread motif throughout his career (i.e. on the exterior of his museum in Figueres). The bread is a symbol for the staple of life; it connects all people, whether poor or rich. However, since this painting was by Dali, the bread is also a sexual image as well. Dali repainted Basket of Bread in 1945—less of the flesh and more of the crust of the bread is shown. Although Dali was already involved in Nuclear Mysticism and Surrealism, he returned to this subject with the same Baroque theatrics and play of light/texture. There is also tension in the image because the basket looks like it is just at the edge of a precarious table (the bread is going to fall and become tainted).
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