Vieillard et pierres précieuses c. 1966

Salvador Dalí created "Vieillard et pierres précieuses" using watercolor. This work, with its dreamy, surreal quality, reminds me that art-making is a journey through the subconscious. The watery nature of the medium lends itself to the fluid forms that make up the composition, from the figure’s cascading beard to the halo-like shapes surrounding it. There’s a wonderful tension between control and chance in this piece, as Dalí harnesses the unpredictable nature of watercolor to create a captivating image. Look closely at the way the colors blend and bleed into one another, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. The figure emerges from the wash of blues and greens, its face both serene and unsettling. Dalí’s approach to watercolor is very much in line with the work of Max Ernst, who also saw the value in letting the material lead the way. I love how this piece embraces ambiguity, inviting us to bring our own interpretations to the table.