Another Look at Salvador Dalí

Art General

21.03.2021

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Salvador Dalí

Salvador Dalí was a famous Spanish artist. He is recognized mainly for his paintings, however, he also worked as a writer, graphic designer, set designer, model among other activities. Salvador Dalí was one of the best-known surrealist artists of the 20th century.

His eccentric personality earned him the criticism of many. He was a provocateur, an egocentric, a narcissist. He once said: “The only difference between a madman and Dalí is that Dalí is not mad.” Dalí’s life was long and very productive. He made more than 1500 paintings. Salvador Dalí reached his goal of being a millionaire and famous.

The Character

Salvador Dalí created himself as a character. He sculpted his own life, to be seen as an eccentric artist, a genius. However, some people affirm that the character ¨Salvador Dali¨ was created by Gala, his wife. Dalí from a very young age showed a clear ambition to go down in history as a genius, as the best of Spanish artists. He claimed he was a genius. In one of his last interviews, he said: “Geniuses must not die.” Of course, he was referring to himself. Some people that knew Dalí, said that his character only appeared when there were public around, in his solitude he was calm and silent.

His unique style was also part of the character. His characteristic mustache was inspired by the style of Diego Velazquez, one of the best Spanish painters in history. Dali had great admiration for Velazquez. Dali’s mustache received special care to keep its shape. Dalí used to apply date oil and honey to it. That is why many times flies were close to the artist.

Gala

Dalí´s artwork was usually signed as Gala Salvador Dalí. Gala was the center of everything he created. In the summer of 1929, he met Gala in Dalí’s hometown, Cadaqués. Gala was Russian, her real name was Elena Ivanovna Diakonova. Married to the French poet Paul Éluard. She decides to separate and abandon her daughter Cécile, to join Dalí. A new artistic stage would begin for the surrealist artist.

Gala was 10 years older than Dali, he felt an instant attraction to her. Dalí would only have eyes for her, distancing even from very close friends, such as the filmmaker Luis Buñuel, with whom he had made the film ¨Un Perro andaluz¨. According to some close friends, Dalí depended on Gala as if she were his mother, and she cared for him like a son.

Parts of Dalí’s works were conceived by Gala, which is why he signed them as Gala Salvador Dalí. Gala read to him, helped him create, even told him what to paint and what not to paint. Gala was much more than his muse.

Salvador Dali and his muse Gala.

Collaborations

During World War II he took refuge in the United States. During this period, Salvador Dalí collaborated with Albert Hitchcock on the film ¨Spellbound¨. He would also work on a short film with Walt Disney, however, decades later ¨Destino¨ was finished. Dalí was a fan of Disney. Dalí also considered Disney a surrealist artist.

Dalí’s North American stage was very productive. Gala was in charge of searching galleries and negotiating the art. Dalí was earning more money and fame every day.

In Spain, he developed the logo for Chupa Chups, the famous Spanish lollipop brand. Pop icon from its creation to the present.

Dali and Chupa Chups.

Franco’s Spain

In 1948 Salvador Dalí decided to return to Spain. By then Francisco Franco was in power. Franco was a nationalist military dictator. Dalí made several artworks for the dictator, including a painting of the dictator’s granddaughter. He also appeared on television with Franco. This was highly criticized by the artistic environment, especially the Spanish one.

Dalí’s opposition to Pablo Picasso increased during this period due to politics. Dalí went so far as to say: “Picasso is a genius. Me too. Picasso is a communist. Me neither.”

Salvador Dalí and Dictator Francisco Franco.

Dalí’s signature

Dalí used to sign blank papers. He did it even when he was interviewed, or when he was in a documentary. It was a strange habit that brought him a reputation that his work was not entirely his. Some of the painters who worked on it gave interviews. Manuel Pujol Balades was one of those painters. He said that Dalí gave him instructions and went on to revise or modify the artwork and who paid him was Gala.

Dali once said: “Modesty is not my specialty. Dalí is only good because other painters are very bad.”