Cheval ailé Pégase 1966

Editor: So, this is Salvador Dalí’s “Cheval ailé Pégase,” painted in 1966 using watercolor and mixed media. It strikes me as both whimsical and strangely monumental. There’s almost a theatrical stage set quality. What do you see in this piece that maybe I'm missing? Curator: Beyond the obvious dreamscape qualities we expect from Dalí, I'm drawn to the historical and social implications here. Consider the winged Pegasus. What did Pegasus symbolize historically, and what did it mean to revive this symbol in the mid-20th century? It appears amidst these… well, stage props – architectural illusions. Editor: Good point! I remember Pegasus being associated with inspiration and poetry in classical mythology. Curator: Exactly. And in 1966, think about the rise of popular culture, advertising, and mass media. How does Dalí’s artistic reclamation, or perhaps re-imagining, of Pegasus – almost like a trademarked figure – play into the commercialization of art and myth? Notice the use of watercolor. How might this relatively "humble" medium serve Dalí's broader social commentary? Editor: So, it’s like he’s using this accessible, almost childlike medium to comment on something much larger – the dilution of classical ideals in a consumerist society? Curator: Precisely! And consider where this piece might have been displayed. Was it destined for a gallery, a private collection, or even mass reproduction? That context profoundly shapes its meaning and impact. How did this affect you differently? Editor: I hadn't considered that. It's fascinating how the work's intended audience changes its interpretation so dramatically. Thinking about the market in 1966 brings a new dimension to this painting. Curator: Indeed. By understanding the socio-political climate and the art market of Dalí’s time, we gain a much richer appreciation of his visual language and his social critiques. It's far more than a mere surrealist fantasy. Editor: Absolutely. I will definitely think twice about initial assumptions in the future, the medium is part of the message. Thank you!