Salvador Dalí: genius, extravagance and surrealism
- Paravoz.es
- Feb 9
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 17
Salvador Dalí was not just a painter, but a true artist of life. His work combines deep symbolism, vivid imagery and elements of the grotesque. Dalí was a master not only of the brush, but also of provocation, turning his life into a true performance.
One of the most enigmatic stories of Dalí is related to his belief that he was the reincarnation of his deceased older brother. The artist's parents named him after their firstborn son, who died nine months before the birth of the future genius. Once they even took him to his brother's grave and said, "You are him." Dalí felt like a ghost throughout his life, which greatly influenced his art and his perception of reality.
Dalí's world is a world of melting clocks, ants, elephants with spider legs and hallucinations. He himself claimed that many images came to him in a semi-hypnotic state, when he fell asleep with a spoon in his hand. Thus, according to him, the idea of the famous painting "The Persistence of Memory" with its melting clocks, which became the hallmark of surrealism, was born.
A special place in Dalí's life was occupied by his wife and muse Gala. This woman was for him not only a loved one, but also a business partner and a goddess. He adored her, dedicated his works to her and even signed some of them with her name. Their relationship was full of eccentricity, but Gala remained his support and inspiration until the end of his days.
Dalí was not only a talented painter, but also a tireless experimenter. He collaborated with Walt Disney, creating surreal cartoons, worked in film with Luis Buñuel, created advertising campaigns and even designed the logo for Chupa Chups. He was interested not only in the canvas, but in everything that could become an object of art.
Extravagance was an integral part of Dalí's image. His antics often shocked the public, but at the same time attracted attention to him. One of the most famous cases is the incident in New York, when the artist, standing on the roof of a taxi, began throwing tickets for the premiere of his film, explaining that he was "watering the flower of genius." And what about his "immersion in the subconscious" through a sewer.
Фото: Salvador Dali (общественное достояние, Public Domain). Источник: Wikimedia Commons.
Dalí was not only a genius, but also a showman who knew how to turn his life into art. His legendary mustache, which even after the artist's death remained in perfect condition, became a symbol of his unique style and extravagance.
Salvador Dalí left behind a huge legacy that continues to provoke admiration and controversy. His work is not just surrealism, it is a reflection of his unique view of the world, full of fantasies, fears and unbridled energy.
Salvador Dalí's works can be seen at:
Dalí Theatre-Museum (Spain) – The main museum of the artist, created by Dalí himself. It houses a large collection of his works.
Gala-Salvador Dalí Foundation (Spain) – Includes several sites related to the artist, including his house in Portlligat.
Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg (USA, Florida) – The largest collection of Dalí's works outside of Europe.
Centre Pompidou (France) – Includes Dalí's works in its permanent collection.
Queen Sofía Museum (Spain, Madrid) – Displays the famous painting The Persistence of Memory.
