Christ of St John of the Cross was voted Scotland’s favourite painting. It has been given a prominent new location at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. (Image: © CSG CIC Glasgow Museums and Libraries Collection)
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.
The painting was loaned to the Vatican in Rome for an exhibition at the Church of San Marcello al Corso, from May 14 to June 23 2024, as a cultural prelude to the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee year.
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 Dr TJ 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.
Glasgow Life Senior Curator Laura Bauld beside Salvador Dalí’s Christ of St John of the Cross in its new bespoke gallery at Kelvingrove Art Gallery (Image: Newsquest)
“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 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.
Dali and Dr TJ Honeyman, who acquired Christ of St John on the Cross for Glasgow. (Image: CSG CIC Glasgow Museums and Libraries Collection)
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, which was voted Scotland’s favourite painting in 2005.
Read more:
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.
Saunders was uspended on an overhead gantry to envisage the pull of gravity on the human body.
Director of Glasgow Art Galleries Dr TJ 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 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 July 17.
It is in the East Gallery on the ground floor and is accessed via the Looking at Art gallery.