Crucifixion (Corpus Hypercubus)

Crucifixion (Corpus Hypercubus) is a painting by Salvador Dalí, completed in 1954. It is also known as Christ of Saint John of the Cross. The painting depicts Christ on a cross, but from a unique perspective: an overhead view, looking down upon the figure. What distinguishes this work is the representation of the cross itself, which is depicted not as a traditional wooden cross, but as the net of a hypercube (also known as a tesseract) unfolded into three dimensions.

Dalí's choice of the hypercube is significant and reflects his fascination with science, mathematics, and religion. He believed that the hypercube represented the fourth dimension and that this geometrical figure could symbolize the divine and the transcendence of earthly limitations.

The painting's composition is divided into two distinct zones. In the upper part, the hypercube cross dominates the scene, with the figure of Christ attached. Below, the landscape of Port Lligat in Spain, Dalí's home, is visible. The two fishermen in the boat are derived from a drawing by the Spanish mystic Saint John of the Cross, from which Dalí drew inspiration for the painting's subject.

Unlike traditional depictions of the crucifixion, Dalí's Crucifixion (Corpus Hypercubus) does not portray suffering or agony. Christ's body is idealized and serene, suggesting a sense of spiritual elevation and transcendence rather than physical pain. The absence of nails and blood further reinforces this idea. The painting is therefore an exploration of faith, science, and the artist's personal vision of Christ's sacrifice and resurrection, rendered through a surrealist lens. It is housed at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow.