Thanks for your comments, Mike; they are always so interesting. But other than the one on Leda's left hand showing age unlike her right hand which is perfect, which may be due to the fact that the left hand is showing its back and not its palm, as does the right, I believe it very likely that the perfectly calm sea has to do with the swan actually being Zeus metamorphosed into it, according to Greek mythology, where he is said to have done so out of love for the beautiful Leda, with whom he wanted to make love irrespective of the form he had to take in order to do it. And he would be sure to want to do it amid a calm sea and not in the middle of a stormy one. Just my guess of course. :)
Now why should Leda be shown rising above her seat, together with other things? I cannot know for sure, but my best guess is, again, that Leda was supposed to become a divine-like character herself after being chosen for a spouse by Zeus; and this would be enough reason for her to be spiritually lifted.
Of course there may be other reasons, those of a practical, aesthetic nature, behind the latter features: Dali must have wanted a calm and beautiful scenario to accompany such a divine, transcendent act, with absolutely nothing that might disturb it; and you will agree the one he painted is just perfect for it.
Hugs,
Miguel
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Hi Miguel, Portrait II is very intriguing. The bird's feather's are ruffled, showing some form of agitation. The girl's figure is almost perfect except for her left hand that seems to be elongated and shows age beyond that of the figure. At first glance, it appears that she is sitting on a piece of furniture, but then you realize that she is rising above it, plus all objects around her are rising as well. The rocky background shows a lot of detail, but yet the water is plain. No ripples, no foam, nothing to indicate motion. It seems as though he had a lot to say in this painting, however only he knew what he was saying. I noticed the same thing about the left hand in the beautiful painting with the clouds and I forget what you call the figure of half man half horse. The hand is one of the most defficult things to draw or paint. On the first painting the right hand is perfect, however in both paintings the left hand shows age.  GOD BLESS YOU
~Mike~ http://www.countryvalues65.com
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