Salvador Dali’s ‘Christ of St John of the Cross’ To Be Loaned To The Vatican
Famous Salvador Dali painting ‘Christ of St John of the Cross’ will be loaned by Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum to the Vatican.
The paintng will be displayed in Rome this year if councillors back the plan. It follows a request from the Vatican Dicastery for Evangelization — which is overseen by Pope Francis — to borrow the painting and show it at the Church of San Marcello al Corso.
“Christ of Saint John of the Cross” is made by Salvador Dalí made in 1951. It depicts Jesus Christ on the cross in a dark sky floating over the waters and a boat and fishermen. Although it is a depiction of the crucifixion, there are non nails, blood, and no crown of thorns. According to Dalí, he was convinced by a dream that these attributes would mar his depiction of Christ.
The importance of depicting Christ in the extreme angle was revealed to him (Dali) in a dream.
The design and the composition of the painting are based on a drawing by the 16th-century Spanish friar John of the Cross. The composition is based on a triangle and circle (the triangle is formed by Christ’s arms; the circle is formed by Christ’s head).
The triangle is a reference to the Trinity, and the circle may be an allusion to Platonic thought. The circle also represents Unity.
John of the Cross (1542–1591) was a Spanish Catholic priest, mystic, and Carmelite friar. He is a major figure of the Counter-Reformation in Spain.
John of the Cross is known for his writings. Both his poetry and his studies on the development of the soul are considered the summit of mystical Spanish literature and among the greatest works of all Spanish literature. He is known as the “mystical doctor”.
The painting “Christ of St John of the Cross” will be displayed alongside the original drawing by St John of the Cross, and Dali’s The Assumpta Corpuscolaria Lapislazulina (1952).
