Remembering the birth anniversary of Salvador Dali, Spanish Surrealist artist, famous for "The Persistence of Memory."
Great Thinkers Datebook: May 11
Salvador Dali (1904-1989), Spanish artist, surrealist painter, sculptor and designer, influential for his imagery explorations.
Dali was born this day, May 11, in Figueras, Catalonia, Spain. After studying at the Academy of Fine Arts in Madrid, he moved to Paris. The theories of Sigmund Freud had a profound influence on him particularly the concept of the unconscious mind. He created what he called "hand-painted dream photographs" which are images of distorted human figures and burning giraffes, among others. He joined the Surrealist group in 1928 (some biographers say 1929), becoming one of the main figures of the movement.
His best known work is "The Persistence of Memory" (1931.)
Salvador Dali also designed jewelry, furniture, fabrics, and stage decors. His artistic creations also included sculpture, photography and film. He collaborated with Walt Disney's short cartoon "Destino," nominated for Academy-Award. A noted book illustrator, he also wrote autobiographies. Dali also collaborated with the master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock on the film "Spellbound."
He moved to the US in 1940 and became famous there. He made public appearances in Hollywood and Broadway, among others. His paintings are in major Western museums.
