Salvador Dali

1904-1989

Photo of Salvador DaliKnown internationally for his abilities as a Spanish Surrealist artist, he is one of the most popular artists of the 20th century. Dali once said, “You have to systematically create confusion- it sets creativity free. Everything that is contradictory creates life.” His quest to merge life and art made him a trail blazer for today’s artists. He called his paintings “hand-painted photographs.” By this, he meant that the things he painted looked very real, like photographs, but at the same time they are impossible or improbable- dream like. A celebrity with flair, he is also known for creating sculptures, films and ads for magazines, designing furniture and fancy perfume bottles, and even film sets for movies.

Soft Self-Portrait with Grilled Bacon, 1941Except for his signature

moustache and long dark eyebrows, it would be difficult to guess that this is Dali. Although he explored various modern artistic styles such as Pointillism, Fauvism and Cubism, Dali’s style here has dramatically transitioned to Surrealism. Notice the use of crutches, something he uses in several other paintings. What do you think they symbolize?

The Persistence of Memory, 1931

Although small in size, this is one of Dali’s best known paintings. A painting of watches melting on a hot beach, showing us that time never stands still. Dali claimed that the idea for this painting came to him wile he was thinking about Camembert cheese.

Sleep, 1937

What do you think Dali is trying to tell us here? Perhaps this is how Dali feels when he is sleeping and dreaming up ideas for his paintings. Have you ever experienced a dream where you felt you are tumbling and suddenly wake up with a jerk? Maybe the crutches would alleviate the feeling.

Swans Reflecting Elephants, 1937

Dreams and sleep were a big part of Dali’s work as an artist. By examining his dreams, he hoped to find new ideas and images which he would have never thought of otherwise.

Metamorphosis of Narcissus, 1937

Dali loved the idea that one thing can actually be two at the same time, and he enjoying painting pictures that could be confusing. How would you interpret this painting? Is this a painting of a boy crouching at the water’s edge? Or is it a hand holing a round object? Do you see fingertips holding an egg?

The Sublime Moment, 1938Dali was fascinated by fried eggs- he imagined two of them side by side like a pair of eyes. Just as eyes and eggs are similar in shape, so are the snail and the telephone receiver. Time is standing still in this picture, but something important is about to happen. What could it be? Will the snail stretch out and touch the receiver? Will the water drop onto the sharp razor blade? Will the blade slice through the fried egg?

Apparition of Face and Fruit Dish on a Beach, 1938

As typical of Dali’s paintings, the images transform into something else. It is fun to carefully view every detail in his paintings. What are some of the things that your see in this painting? Can you find a dog? What kind of fruit is in the dish?

Mae West, 1934-36Here you have the furnishings of a room that are transformed into a portrait of Mae West, a once famous Hollywood actress. What objects have been transformed? Curtains into hair, pictures into eyes, fireplace into nose, and sofa into lips.

Dali on Cover of Time Magazine, 1936

Dali was so popular he even made the cover of Time Magazine. He was responsible for the popularity of Surrealism in the 1920’s and 30’s. His Surrealistic style paved the way for later movements. He died at the age of 85.