Sophia Simo

Oxbow
02/10/17
Salvador Dali

The quote Art is the lie that enables us to realize the truth. - Pablo Picasso personally relates
to me from the artist Salvador Dali. His work La Main have allowed me to become aware of
truths around me. I found La Main intriguing because of its commentary about the government
with an over zealous promise. La Main depicts Abraham Lincoln in a high chair above the
people with an enlarged hand. It was painted in 1930 and during that time FDR was in the office
and the aftereffects of the Great Depression were vivid. FDR was phenomenally known for his
promise of the American dream and how it would come back, yet it was empty and unfilled
during his time. America was a mess with a war in the rear view mirror and it's own economics
in shambles. I believe Dali was trying to express how the American Dream had become an idea
of the past. The government was trying to fill the hole with empty works that wouldn't come true
till round 20 yrs later. This piece made me realize how our government is a democracy but we
can't always shape America into what we want it to be. I was personally devastated by the
recent Presidential Election and La Main showed me how we may be put into terrible situations,
but through the power of the people and time things can and will change. I think Dali felt
hopeless and was unable to recognize his own world, but this painting showed me the power of
time, development, and change. He was stuck in a year with promise after promise that were
unfulfilled, the government wanted it to be true but could not make it so. This painting showed
me how change may be slow, but will always come even in the darkest hour.