A Journey Through Salvador Dali’s Mind at the Dali Museum in Spain

A Journey Through Salvador Dali’s Mind at the Dali Museum in Spain

 

Step into the surreal world of Salvador Dali at the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres, Spain. This museum showcases the fascinating work of one of the most celebrated artists of the 20th century, taking visitors on a journey through the intricate workings of Dali’s mind. From the moment you enter the museum, you’ll be transported into a realm of strange and mesmerizing art, featuring some of Dali’s most iconic pieces. The museum is housed in a former theater, which Dali himself helped to redesign and decorate. Here, you’ll find a vast collection of his paintings, sculptures, and drawings, each one more bizarre and captivating than the last. The interactive exhibits and multimedia displays allow visitors to delve even deeper into the mind of this eccentric artist, providing a unique and memorable experience that is sure to leave a lasting impression. Whether you’re a seasoned art enthusiast or simply curious about the strange and wonderful world of Dali, a visit to the Dali Museum is an absolute must.

It’s an easy train ride from Barcelona or Girona, and would make a great day trip for any art lover. While staying in Girona, we were delighted to visit and learn a little more about Dalí!

 

Things get weird as soon as you get close to the theatre-museum that Dalí designed, in Figueres.

 

The Dali Museum in Figueres, Spain

 

The Dali Museum in Figueres, Spain, is located in the artist’s hometown and was opened in 1974. The museum was built on the ruins of the former Municipal Theatre of Figueres, which was destroyed during the Spanish Civil War. Dali was heavily involved in the renovation of the building, and his influence can be seen in every corner of the museum. The museum is a work of art in itself, with a façade featuring a collection of bread rolls, a large dome, and a statue of Dali himself.

The museum is home to the largest collection of Dali’s works in the world, including paintings, sculptures, and installations. The works on display cover every period of Dali’s career, from his early surrealist paintings to his later, more abstract works. One of the highlights of the museum is the Mae West Room, a surreal sculptural installation that features a giant red sofa in the shape of the lips of Hollywood icon Mae West. Visitors can climb up a set of stairs to enter the room, where they can sit on the sofa and take in the surreal surroundings.

 

A tour guide will help explain some of Dali’s creations!

 

Our tour guide, Ana, really made our experience at the Dalí Theatre-Museum so much more!

 

Our wonderful tour guide, Ana, met us at the entrance of the museum. We don’t always opt for a tour guide when visiting museums or cultural sites, but we found Ana’s insight so incredibly interesting and she added so much to the experience. Much of Dalí’s work is confusing — it’s interesting that he leaves the work open to interpretation, so you can make of it what you will. We found it fabulous to have someone knowledgeable about the work, to point things out to us that were otherwise hidden. 

 

The Dalí Theatre-Museum has a really interesting story — one unlike most museums.

 

First of all, Dalí had purchased an abandoned and run-down theater in Figueres, and slowly turned it into his largest piece of work! The museum is a sort of homage to Dalí’s own life, and it contains many of his most treasured works and memories — all composed by him. 

I think it’s easy to say that he was rather self-centered, and that he greatly enjoyed fame and money. Although: he was unapologetic about it, and embraced the limelight. 

 

Be sure to check out the interactive art installations at the Dalí Theatre-Museum!

 

The museum also features the Rainy Cadillac, a sculpture that represents Dali’s fascination with the automobile. The sculpture features a Cadillac with a statue of a woman sitting in the driver’s seat, with water flowing over the car to create the illusion of rain. 

Dalí transformed a car into a piece of interactive art. You kinda have to see it to believe it. We were amazed when Ana inserted a euro into the meter and the car came to life! Due to the amazing Ana, we learned about the story behind the car and why it now rains inside the car. Seriously! 

 

There’s no way to fully capture all the incredible art in the Dalí Theatre-Museum atrium! 

 

Dalí did live in the museum at the end of his life. He is even buried in the middle of the atrium — there is an unmarked slab of stone marking the location, although if you don’t know what it is… you may not notice it! 

 

Dalí’s greatest inspiration and love was his wife!

 

We truly gushed learning about Dalí and Gala’s romance! 

 

Throughout the museum and his artwork, Dalí pays homage to his wife and muse, Gala. In the courtyard of the museum, there are gardens shaped like the letter ‘G’. Ana described the unique relationship Dalí had with Gala, and we could really see that reflected in much of his later work. 

 

We were captivated by this piece because it was the only image we found showing Gala smiling at the Dalí Theatre-Museum.

 

Dalí made incredible jewelry — but more on that later. This piece caught our eye because it’s showcasing a smiling portrait of Gala. I do believe this was the only time we saw her represented with a smile throughout the whole museum. 

 

Some of Dalí’s work was inspired by science! 

In another revealing moment, our tour guide Ana pointed out the painting below. What do you see?

 

Dalí played with optics in some of his paintings, what do you see?

 

The first photo here is a close-up of the painting, and looks like a cubist abstract with a central nude. Cool. But when you step back and look at the same painting from a distance, you see something else entirely: the portrait of Abraham Lincoln… how crazy cool is that?!?!? 

Dalí was inspired to create this painting after reading about optics in a science publication. We just love the overlap of disciplines! 

 

Some of Salvador Dalí’s work is mind-boggling, especially when you take into consideration he wasn’t able to use a computer. 

 

He also used mirrors to play with optics. Just imagine: he did all this without a computer!

 

It would have been so much fun to be on a fly on the wall while Dalií designed Dalí Theatre-Museum!

 

Some of the work you see was created specifically for the museum, while other pieces were from his childhood, university days and adulthood.

 

The red room houses some of Dalií most precious work and memories at the Dalí Theatre-Museum.

 

This glaringly red room was created to look like the inside of a jewelry box and houses some of Dalí’s most precious works. As you walk around the room, you’ll notice that they were created at different times, have different frames and are even painted in different styles. 

 

Salvador Dalí compared himself to an egg. 

 

Dalí often represented himself in an egg or with a hard shell and soft drippy inside. We’re used to seeing this in his more well-known paintings; the meaning behind this may be that he felt like he had a very sensitive and soft inside, and thus he needed to protect himself with an outer shell… very much like an egg. 

 

You can’t miss this iconic room!

 

Don’t miss this iconic room at Dalí Theatre-Museum!

 

Another popular piece is the Face of Mae West, which is a collage that creates the illusion of both a woman’s face and a home interior. We were so excited to see this iconic room! I remember learning about this in a college art history class, to see the actual furniture, really drove home the whole experience. 

 

It’s incredible to see how the room comes together through a special lens at Dalí Theatre-Museum. 

 

When you view the living room through a special lens, it recreates a surreal portrait that he had created years ago from a photo of Mae West. 

 

The Dali-Jewels Collection are to die for!

In addition to the works on display at the Dali Museum in Figueres, the museum is also home to the Dali-Jewels Collection. This collection features a series of 39 jewels that Dali designed for the French jeweler, Francois Hugo. The jewels were inspired by Dali’s fascination with surrealism and feature a range of unusual designs, including a pair of ruby lips and a lobster-shaped brooch. The collection is housed in a separate gallery within the museum and is a must-see for anyone interested in Dali’s work.

 

Don’t forget to have fun while you explore the Dalí Theatre-Museum!

 

After walking up this crazy staircase — which we have a lot of fun with — you enter a dark labyrinth, with Dalí’s jewels in the spotlight. I remember being quite taken with the Hope Diamond at the Nation Museum of History in Washington DC, but I gotta say: the Hope Diamond has nothing on Dalí’s jewels! Seriously! 

 

The Dalí jewels can’t be missed — I know what I want for Christmas this year! 

 

Some of the jeweled creations even moved! The intricacy and craft that went into each piece was breathtaking, and it’s something that should not be missed.

 

The exterior of the museum is a sight to behold.

 

Even the exterior of the Dalí Theatre-Museum is fun to check out!

The bright red painted exterior is not to be missed… honestly, it’s a little hard to! You’ll notice the walls are adorned by these unique shaped sculptures, which are actually a bread shape that Dalí designed. Lastly, the tower is topped with bulbous white eggs… and we know a bit about their meaning thanks to the great museum tour with Ana!

Visiting the Dali Museum – Tips and practical information

The Dali Museum is open every day except Mondays, and tickets can be purchased online or at the museum. The museum is located in the center of Figueres and is easily accessible by public transportation. Visitors should allow at least two hours to explore the museum fully.

When visiting the museum, it’s important to wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for a lot of walking. The museum is spread out over several floors, and there are a lot of stairs to climb. Visitors should also be prepared for long lines, especially during peak season.

Much appreciation! 

 

Thank you Dalí Theatre-Museum for an incredible experience! 

 

Thank you to the folks at the Dalí Theatre-Museum and Ana for an incredible afternoon of art and wonder! We know we only scratched the surface of Dalí’s egg, but we learned so much and we can’t wait to return, someday! 

 

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