Masters of Surrealism: Dali & Masson Oct. '09-Jan. '10 D. Barnett Gallery Exhibit

Salvador Felipe Jacinto Dalí i Domènech, born on May 11, 1904, in Figueres, Spain, was a profoundly influential artist known for his versatile style and diverse mediums. Raised in Catalonia, his early talent was recognized with his first solo show in Barcelona in 1925, leading to international recognition. Joining the Surrealists in Paris in 1929, Dalí met his muse and future wife, Gala. His surrealist work, especially "The Persistence of Memory," is celebrated, but he later diverged into themes of science and religion. His time in the U.S. during WWII was pivotal, including a major MoMA retrospective and his autobiography's publication. Dalí's later years were marked by large canvases addressing scientific, historical, and religious themes. In 1974, he opened the Teatro Museo in Figueres. Following Gala's death in 1982, Dalí's health declined, leading to his death on January 23, 1989, in Figueres. Dalí's legacy as a master draftsman and innovative artist remains a benchmark in 20th-century art.