Gradiva 1931

"Gradiva" (1931) by Salvador Dalí is a surrealist masterpiece depicting a woman, seemingly carved from rock, with a rose blooming from her torso. The dreamlike, distorted figure and the uncanny juxtaposition of natural and man-made elements are characteristic of Dalí’s artistic style, drawing inspiration from Sigmund Freud’s theories of the subconscious. The painting’s title alludes to a character from Wilhelm Jensen’s novel *Gradiva,* a symbol of feminine power and desire, adding further depth to the complex and alluring imagery.