THE BURNING GIRAFFE// 1937 // OIL ON PANEL // 35 X 27 CM // KUNSTMUSEUM, BASEL
THIS PAINTING SHOWS A WOMAN DALI CALLS THE 'TAIL BONE WOMAN' BEING OPENED BY DROWERS AND SUPPORTED BY WHAT SEEM TO BE CRUTCHES. IN THE BACKGROUND, WE CAN SEE THE EPONYM GIRAFFE AND A SECOND WOMAN WITH THE SAME CHARACTERISTICS. THIS PAINTING SHOWS HIS PERSONAL STRUGGLE WITH THE BATTLE IN SPAIN. IT RELATES TO SIGMUND FREUD'S THEORIES, A PERSON HE VERY MUCH ADMIRED. HE DISCOVERED THAT THE HUMAN BODY IS FILLED WITH DRAWERS ONLY TO BE OPENED BY PSYCHOANALISIS. THEREFORE, THE PIECE REFERS TO THE SUBCONSCIOUS OF A MAN'S MIND.