Arabes 1960

This painting, "Arabes," by Salvador Dalí, is made with thin washes of color on paper. It seems simple, almost like a sketch, yet it is far from casual. Notice how the watery paint pools and flows, creating abstract shapes that hint at figures on horseback. Dalí used the inherent qualities of the medium—its liquidity and transparency—to evoke movement and energy. This technique requires immense control, guiding the paint to achieve the desired effect. The visible brushstrokes and the layering of colors add depth and texture, making the scene come alive. Dalí’s masterful use of watercolor challenges our expectations of traditional painting. It is a reminder that true artistry lies not just in the subject matter, but in the way materials are handled and transformed. It brings what is typically seen as an exploratory medium into the arena of "finished" work.