Argos 1970

Curator: Immediately striking, isn’t it? An almost theatrical composition using delicate watercolor washes to unsettling effect. Editor: Indeed. This piece is titled “Argos,” created in 1970 by Salvador Dalí. Dalí, of course, is central to any understanding of Surrealism's institutional position, especially considering how carefully he managed his own public image within the market. It feels charged with symbolism; do you find it compelling from a material perspective? Curator: The bleeding mouth of the hound is quite prominent. Given Dalí’s consistent engagement with the themes of decay and transformation, it's hard to overlook his utilization of fluid watercolor to convey the dog’s vulnerable state and how its life is draining right on the spot. Editor: Yes, and I am seeing the work's creation during the later stages of Dalí’s career which suggests that his legacy influenced the market in turn to increase his work's worth. The fluidity with which Dalí depicts this scene contrasts with his sharper, more meticulously crafted earlier works. Perhaps reflecting a shift in his artistic approach? Curator: Or maybe we can observe a faster pace production to fulfill high requests from the art market and therefore the use of quicker production methods. Editor: A definite possibility. The gaze of the anthropomorphic figure above the dog, however, leads me to see it as symbolic. Dalí may be trying to offer commentary through myth and metaphor on how those with perceived power feast off the vulnerable through the utilization of sharp market strategies. I want to emphasize here the historical weight the scene represents—it's hard to divorce Dalí's late works from his established image as a master of Surrealism. Curator: I can understand your insight into it as a mirror into society and human connections. Still, it seems that his choice of such delicate watercolors juxtaposed against a brutal subject deserves exploration and understanding through art making methodology and material analysis. Editor: Fair enough. It’s a compelling piece with complex interpretations layered through its historical context and process driven aspects. Curator: Precisely. It provokes more questions about Dalí's methodology, that's for certain.