Les Colombes c. 1953

Salvador Dalí made Les Colombes with oil paint on canvas. While not as obviously material-focused as some artworks, even a painting like this speaks volumes about processes of production. Dalí had a virtuosic ability to create effects of hyper-realism with paint, an approach often associated with 'high' art. Yet here, he seems to have applied the medium in a quicker, more improvisational way. This looser handling aligns the picture with the more immediate demands of commercial art. Indeed, it’s worth remembering that in addition to his activities as a fine artist, Dalí also designed furniture, shop windows, and even magazine covers. 'Les Colombes' may have been conceived as a relatively quick and straightforward project. This connects it to the world of design, where the demands of production and consumption often take center stage. So, next time you look at this painting, consider not just the imagery but also the labor, processes, and even the economic context that brought it into being.