By Salvador Dali, a surrealist artist.
This Painting was created in 1921. A gouache on board, with its dimensions of 54.9 by 74.1 cm.
This is a painting that I think is enigmatic. It tells an interesting story made up of different tones of blue, with some yellow and brown to distinguish each subject. Dali may have been inspired by Picasso’s Blue Period from 1901-1904, with the blues present in his paintings.
The story I interpret here is that of a lonely musician entertaining people in a restaurant. The musician is playing the cello, with his eyes closed, ignoring the audience, as he is swept away by the rhythms of his song.
Not a care in the world. His expression is that of a man concentrated on playing his instrument but also looking sad or lonely. which is reflected in the painting being in shades of blue. on the other hand, the audience is captured by his music, looking at him with admiration.
Whilst the woman to the musician’s left, is smiling or laughing, facing whomever is her companion. Again probably unaware of the musician. As she is talking to her companion, having a fun time.
This painting also reminds me of another painting, which has the use of blue tones. Salvador Dali may have been inspired by him. This painting is called Old guitarist by Pablo Picasso. Painted in 1903. It’s an oil on panel, with the dimensions of 1.23 m by 83cm.
This was painted during Picasso’s Blue Period. This was the era when Picasso’s best friend had died, so he was depressed and living in poverty.
It has lots of monochromatic, blue tones that is rendered with a warmer brown colour. When looking at it the viewer can feel a sense of sorrow and grief for the old man as he looks lonely reflected in the blue tones and how the man is sitting.
The figure curls and huddled around the guitar making him look cramped within the frame. The guitar that the poor man is holding can suggest the only hope in his life or his way of earning money busking on the streets of Barcelona.
