Salvador Dalí’s Christ of St John of the Cross has a new home in Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Scotland’s favourite painting, Christ of St John of the Cross by Salvador Dalí, has been moved to a new bespoke gallery space in Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, recognising the huge cultural significance of the artwork for Glasgow.
Glasgow Life, the charity that delivers culture, events and active living in the city, has announced the work is now on display in a larger, purpose-built space on the ground floor of the museum, offering visitors an uninterrupted view and the opportunity to spend more time experiencing it.
The new display creates two contrasting ways of experiencing the painting: a quiet contemplative space for reflection and an enhanced digital interpretation, which reveals insights into Dalí’s creative process and the story of how it was acquired for Glasgow’s collection.
Bailie Annette Christie, City Convener for Culture, Sport and International Relations and Chair of Glasgow Life, said: “It’s difficult to quantify the incredible impact of T J Honeyman’s visionary acquisition for Glasgow and the cherished role it plays in the spiritual and cultural lives of Glaswegians and visitors to the city.
“Displaying this much-loved painting in a new setting has widened our understanding of Dalí and offered fresh insight into the inventive and intelligent artist who created this Glasgow treasure.
“This experience explores Dalí’s spiritual inspiration and allows visitors to learn more about one of the city’s most important cultural assets. We are certain the iconic Christ of St John of the Cross will remain a highlight of any visit to Kelvingrove for generations to come.”
New digital interpretation brings the story of Christ of St John of the Cross to life, 75 years after it was painted. Digital screens transport visitors to Port Lligat, in Figueres, Spain where it was created. The new bespoke film uses Dali’s own words to explain how the painting was made and recounts how the vision for the work came to him in two cosmic dreams.
Visitors can also access a new free Bloomberg Connects digital guide on their own device. Salvador Dalí - Stories Behind a Masterpiece features audio that explores the history and enduring appeal of Christ of St John of the Cross, voted Scotland's favourite painting in 2005.
Dalí began developing ideas for the painting in 1948. The work was created using an unusual and detailed process that included sketches, photography, working with models — including Hollywood stuntman Russell Saunders — and an elaborate studio pulley system.
Director of Glasgow Art Galleries T J Honeyman spearheaded the purchase of the painting by the city in 1952 for £8,200, despite considerable criticism from the public over the cost of the acquisition. Honeyman also secured copyright for the work. Letters on show offer a glimpse of Honeyman’s immediate reaction when he asked about purchasing the painting and how their friendship grew in the following years.
When the painting was first displayed in Glasgow, visitors paid one shilling to see it. Now housed in its new bespoke gallery, Christ of St John of the Cross, one of the most celebrated and reproduced paintings of the 20th century, is expected to remain one of the real draws for the million plus people who enjoy free entry to Kelvingrove Museum each year.
The new gallery will open to the public at 11am on Friday 17 July. It is in the East Gallery on the ground floor and is accessed via the Looking at Art gallery. The digital interpretation plays for four minutes, followed by four minutes of quiet, before repeating.
For more information visit www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/venues/kelvingrove-art-gallery-and-museum/salvador-dalis-christ-of-st-john-of-the-cross.
Image: Christ of St John of the Cross by Salvador Dali © CSG CIC Glasgow Museums and Libraries Collection