Metamorphosis of Narcissus

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The Metamorphosis of Narcissus (1937) is an 511 x 781 mm oil on canvas painting by the Spanish surrealist Salvador Dalí. This painting is from Dalí's Paranoiac-critical period. According to Greek mythology, Narcissus fell in love with his own reflection in a pool. Unable to embrace the watery image, he pined away, and the gods immortalized him as a flower. Dali completed this painting in 1937 on his long awaited return to Paris after having had great success in the United States.

The painting shows Narcissus sitting in a pool, gazing down. Not far away there is a decaying stone figure which corresponds closely to him but is perceived quite differently as a hand holding up a bulb or egg from which a narcissus is growing. In the background, a group of naked figures can be seen, while a third narcissus like figure appears on the horizon.

A long poem was written by Dalí to accompany the painting. The Metamorphosis of Narcissus is currently on display at Tate Modern in London.

This oil on canvas piece of art is a main part of secondary school artwork. Many students may have to do a report on this picture and is a common topic for year 9 students.