Dali's Ambiguity Sails in 'Allegory of Sunset Air'

The more I study the life and work of Salvador Dali, the more I'm humbled by how much more there is for me to learn than what I already know about the Catalan genius.

Here's a reproduction (used here for journalistic fair use purposes only) of "Allegory of Sunset Air" (circa 1940; bottom image). It's reminiscent of some other Dalis, including "Women Imitating the Gestures of a Schooner."

Dali's penchant for sexual imagery rears its head in "Sunset Air," where the morphology of a schooner is also perhaps suggestive of both male and female attributes. The two melons, one cut into sections, can be viewed as testicles, while the tongue-like "sail" adds to the phallic suggestion.

Likewise, the melons -- especially when put in context with the woman's legs -- suggest ample buttocks, a favorite anatomical focus of the sexually ambiguous Dali! By that I mean it was never crystal clear whether Dali was a participant, voyeur, or some combination thereof.

What is clear is that the sexual instinct was a driving force behind many of the artist's works.

Do you have a take on this painting? Would love to hear from you.