Salvador Dalí is commonly regarded as one of the greatest Surrealist artists, whose personality was often displayed on his magnificent works of art. He practiced sculpting, advertising, printmaking, fashion, filmmaking,...
Salvador Dalí is commonly regarded as one of the greatest Surrealist artists, whose personality was often displayed on his magnificent works of art. He practiced sculpting, advertising, printmaking, fashion, filmmaking, and more Dalí’s mischievousness and peculiar personality contributed to his status of an international celebrity, but he is better-known for his most distinct attribute: his mastery of art. Dalí’s significance and talent ranks him among the most versatile and prolific artists of the 20th century.
Each etching in the series represents one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The work includes images partially based on the blessing of Jacob or the blessing of Moses to the tribes. These are presented through symbol, flag, color and jewel stones from the breastplate. The accompanying descriptions are described in Dali's surrealistic style, in which relations of size, color and shape are not necessarily linked to reality, but present the private world of the artist. One can discern diagonal lines that provide the work with a feeling of depth. One large image dominates most of the page and usually characterizes the tribe. In front or behind it is a small object that completes the composition. The colors are bright and the style is minimalistic. The series presents the twelve tribes of Israel, the descendants of Jacob that were born to him from his wives: the sisters Leah and Rachel, and the handmaidens Zilpah and Bilhah. The order of the sons' births can be found in the book of Genesis: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naftali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulon, Joseph and Benyamin.