Salvador Dalí

Biography

Salvador Dalí (1904–1989) was a Spanish painter, sculptor, and writer, renowned as one of the most prominent figures of the Surrealist movement. Born on May 11, 1904, in Figueres, Catalonia, Spain, Dalí showed early artistic talent and studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando in Madrid, where he developed his technical skills and unique imaginative vision.

Dalí’s work is characterized by dreamlike imagery, meticulous detail, and striking, often bizarre, symbolism. His most famous painting, The Persistence of Memory (1931), featuring melting clocks, exemplifies his exploration of the subconscious and the fluidity of time. Beyond painting, Dalí engaged in sculpture, film, photography, and fashion, collaborating with artists such as Luis Buñuel and Alfred Hitchcock, which expanded his influence across multiple disciplines.

Known for his eccentric personality, flamboyant mustache, and public antics, Dalí cultivated a persona as extraordinary as his art. He remained active throughout his life, continually experimenting with new forms and ideas. Dalí died on January 23, 1989, in his hometown of Figueres, leaving a legacy of surreal imagination, technical brilliance, and a profound impact on 20th-century art.