Figure at the Window, by Salvador Dalí

 

Shared by Berangere Pety:

I love it and I’d like to share this passion for a Dali´s work which is not the typical surrealistic painting: Figure at the Window, by Salvador Dalí.

First of all, we could ask if the students know the frame, if they do, where did they see it? If they don’t, do they like it and what feelings do they have watching it?

Then we could describe the paintwork reviewing some vocabulary about the space (room, window, curtains, sea, boats…), the colours (are they realistic?), the forms, the techniques used to paint it. 

After that, we could give importance to the person who fills it (who is she? how old is she? how is she dressed? how did she get there? why is she there? why don’t we see her? how can you imagine her face?).

At this step, students could search information about Dali’s first paintings and the series he produced about his sister Ana María in order to get more information about the picture.

After delivering all the foundings, we could talk about the “mise en abyme” (explaining what it is), the fact that we enter the girl’s room without seeing her face (quite original) and see what she sees. So, do you like it? Do you share my feelings? The sensation of peace, calm, maybe holidays. I’m there with her, what about you?

Finally, students could tell or write what paintings they like or tell or write the place they like to be so as to be relaxed.