SPAIN, 1904 - 1989

Salvador Dalí

As one of the main representatives of surrealism, Salvador Dalí is one of the best-known painters of the 20th century. By 1929 Dalí had found his personal style and genre, the world of the unconscious that appears in dreams. Melting watches and burning giraffes became Dalís distinguishing feature. His technical ability allowed him to paint his paintings in an Old Master style reminiscent of later Photorealism.
Dalí's most frequent themes, apart from the world of dreams, are those of intoxication, fever and religion; his wife Gala is often depicted in his paintings.

curriculum vitae and events

1904 Born in Figueras, Spain
In 1921 he graduated from the San Fernando School of Fine Arts in Madrid
1926 move to Paris
1929 encounter with the Surrealist group and his future wife Gala; first exhibition in Paris
1939 End of the Spanish Civil War, return to Spain
1940 emigration to the USA, first Virginia, later California
1942 Successful exhibitions in the USA; Retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art, shown in eight cities
1948 Returns to Europe and focuses on major themes in Western art, with many works inspired by religion and mythology
1964 Major retrospective in Japan
1971 Opening of the Dalí Museum in Cleveland, USA
In 1978 he was admitted to the Académie Française des Beaux-Arts
1982 Death of Dalí's wife Gala in June; Withdrawal from the public
1989 Death of Salvador Dalí on January 23rd at the age of 84

Artworks