
The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali contains a variety of different elements that draws in the viewer. From the changing colors to the fine detail, there is a lot of depth within this painting. The beach landscape vibrates with color all over the painting. The presence of the few objects used requires the viewer think deeper about the meaning of this painting. For instance, it is very clear that the clocks appear to be decaying or even melting. Furthermore, the main message of this painting revolves around using the clocks as a way of showing different time periods in an individual’s life. Dali uses his creativity in order to use a few objects in order to make an interesting work of art. 

The medium of this painting is oil on canvas. The ground has a very dark shade to it which stretches all the way until the mountains. The mountains look extremely realistic due to their rough appearance. Due to the color of the sky, the painting was designed to represent either the early morning or the afternoon. Under the area of the skyline, is a light blue body of water. The colors of the sky and the water contrast in an elegant fashion. Additionally, the mountains have contrast between the dark grey and yellow colors. 

Towards the center of the painting, there is a mysterious white animal which is being looked at with a long shot view. Surrounding this creature is a dark landscape which appears to resemble sand. This white animal has dark lines on it which helps show contrast and attention to detail. Laying over the animal’s back is a severely deformed clock, this clock has an engraved silver case and a black dial. The clock happens to be facing the background and not 

the foreground which symbolizes that this clock is referencing time in the past. Dali uses this mysterious animal to represent death and he uses this specific clock in order to represent the time that is spent while approaching death. 

Nearby on a branch painted with strong contrast, is another disfigured clock with a silver case and a black dial. This clock seems to have a bigger dial than the one that is laying on the side of the mysterious creature. The clock is also facing the viewer and has large black numbers. The branch the clock is on is pointing towards the beautiful bright background. This watch has the same color and dial as the one laying on top of the animal. Furthermore, This watch is closest to the one that is laying on top of the creature. This clock can represent the time that is spent during someone’s elderly years. Furthermore, the branch that this clock is hanging on has no leaves or any sort of aesthetic appeal. 

On a light brown platform towards the left of the painting is a golden deformed clock. This clock is only halfway on the platform and the other half is drooping down the side. Interestingly enough, the top half of the clock does not seem to have any deformities unlike the bottom half which is severely disfigured. This clock is be displayed at six-thirty. The fact that the watch is gold and bigger than the other clocks helps symbolize the glorious years of one’s life. 

The smallest clock can be seen on the left side of the painting, this is the only clock that does not appear to be contorted. Additionally, this is the only clock in the entire painting that is face down and the time is not visible to the viewer. The back of the watch has a polished brown finish, which helps the smallest watch stand out. Moreover, many ants are covering the watch as if it was consumable. Clearly, this clock symbolizes a time frame in an individual’s life that is 

not favorable or enjoyable. This time frame could be caused by a variety of different things including: depression or loneliness. This clock is very intriguing, because Dali decided to paint this instead of a clock that specifically symbolizes childhood or a young age.

In the left side of the painting, a platform is positioned right in front of the body of water. This platform has hues of both dark and light blue. Additionally, the platform has no objects on it and is only partially visible to the viewer of the painting. Dali adds this platform in order to blend the color of the tree and add a smooth transition in between the body of water and the tree that is supporting one of the silver clocks.

The closer platform is much larger in comparison to the other platform.  The difference in height is immediately noticeable. This platform appears to be gold in color. Additionally, dark lines can be found around the edges and corners of the platform. Furthermore, three of the four clocks are located together on this platform. This platform is critical, because it carries a lot of the weight by providing a location for a majority of the clocks. Dali shows the importance of this platform by designating roughly a third of the painting to this area. 

It is very obvious that the different objects provide a peculiar mixture which in turn requires viewers to think thoroughly and spend more time analyzing the work as a whole. Each clock represents a different aspect of time and how it pertains to every individual. All of the other objects are used in order to help show the meaning of the clocks. For example, the creature is crucial in understanding the meaning of the clocks by providing the viewer with the concept that it symbolizes death. In conclusion, Salvidor Dali’s does a stellar job using clocks to illustrate different phases and time periods that humans go through throughout the duration of their lives. 
