Fabulous and famous, Salvador Dalí was a Spanish surrealist painter born in Figueres, Catalonia in 1904. Perhaps well known for his compelling and bizarre images in his paintings, Dalí’s repertoire included collaborations with Walt Disney and Alfred Hitchcock, as well as other films, sculpture, and photography.

Dalí’s mother encouraged his artistic ambitions; however, she died when he was sixteen. After her death, Dalí moved to Madrid to study art, and adopted his eccentric lifestyle. He dabbled in Dada and Cubism and was expelled from school after declaring that no one on the faculty was qualified to judge his work. It was then that Dalí began to grow the famous mustache. He also would then become acquaintances with Pablo Picasso.

Dalí was eccentric, often doing strange things to draw attention to himself. This gained him public recognition and people from all lifestyles began to purchase his paintings. His most famous work, The Persistence of Memory, was completed in 1931.

Throughout the 1930s, Dalí’s eccentricities were welcomed in artistic circles, such as in New York City and London. He alienated most of the surrealistic community by supporting the fascist regime of Francisco Franco. He was expelled completely when he announced that without him, there was no surrealism. He and his wife, Gala, moved to the United States when World War II began in Europe. They moved back to Spain in the 40s.

Although it is rumored that Dalí attempted suicide several times during his life, he died of heart failure at the age of 84. There is so much more information to learn about Dalí: his art, his sculptures, his eccentric behavior…treat yourself and visit Simply Dalí! You are in for quite an adventure! While you are at it, check out the Multimedia link for some awesome videos about Dalí…and do not forget to take the Simply Dalí poll!

Happy learning!