One of the most important sights of not only Spain, but the whole world, along with the famous museums of the Prado and Solomon Guggenheim, is the famous Salvador Dali Museum and Theater. He is one of the most visited places by fans of the brilliant surrealist.
It presents the priceless works of Salvador Dali - sculptures, holography, installations, as well as magnificent double spectroscopic paintings. All connoisseurs of surrealism should definitely visit the Salvador Dali Museum in Spain at least once.
The history of the museum-theater. How it all began?
The Dali Museum in Figueres was opened on the initiative of the mayor of the city. It was founded in the old building of the municipal theater built in the mid-19th century, which was almost destroyed during the Civil War. Salvador Dali independently chose a place for his museum and helped in the development of the building project. The structure of the theater was restored and transformed for 14 years. Almost all of Dali’s personal savings, as well as donations from friends, ordinary citizens and government subsidies, were spent on its restoration. As a result, the old abandoned theater turned into a building with a unique surreal design.
Exterior of the Dali Museum-Theater
Giant chicken eggs adorned the roof of the museum, symbolizing new life, development, prosperity and prosperity. At the entrance to the building is a spacesuit that marks an immersion in the subconscious. And next to it were sculptures holding bread on their heads. So, according to the creator, this wholesome food, an essential thing and a symbol of holy being, turned into an aesthetic subject of surrealism.
The museum-theater of Salvador Dali first received its visitors on September 28, 1974. Subsequently, this room became the place of a permanent exhibition of works by the famous surrealist. To this day, a huge number of tourists and fans of the great master of hoaxes visit the museum with eggs. Salvador Dali created his "theater" so that the viewer has the opportunity to follow the dynamics of views. Visitors can see his creative throwings, enjoy the works in the style of impressionism, cubism, futurism and, of course, surrealism.
Salvador Dali Museum in Spain. The special interior of a unique building
Inside the museum is a real maze of rooms, passages and courtyards. Salvador Dali himself knew all the secret passages and sometimes acted as a guide, showing guests his expositions.
The interior of the museum reflects the inner world of the artist as much as possible. All works of the author are placed as Dali wanted. In the center of the "labyrinth" is a statue called "The Ice with the Swan" - a portrait of the wife and muse of the surrealist, Gala. The rest of the space is divided into separate rooms, which feature works of different styles.
A geodesic glass dome was erected over the ruined scene. She is also decorated with a huge composition, written in oil for scenery for the ballet called "Labyrinth". It depicts a bust with a through opening in the chest. And it shows a charming landscape - the sea, rocks and majestic cypress trees.
Here on the wall, not far from the scene, one of Dali’s most famous works is presented - “The Naked Gala, Looking at the Sea” (1976). The special location allows not only to enjoy the canvas itself, but also to consider it from a distance. At a distance of 18 m, the image of Gala is miraculously transformed into a portrait of Lincoln. Another interesting piece found on the stage is the portrait of
Garcia Lorca. In it, the author masterfully conveys his outstanding idea of a double image.
Unusual sculptures of the museum-theater
In place of the former stalls, Dali placed two interesting sculptures - a boat belonging to his muse, Gale, and his Cadillac - Rainy Taxi, inside which ivy “grows” and is slightly wet.
If you put a coin in a special slot, then water will splash from the exhibit. In the museum you can enjoy many other works, such as "Galarina", "Portrait of Picasso", "The Phantom of a Sex Epil", "Soft Portrait with a Slice of Fried Bacon" and "Atomic Leda". In each of the 22 halls of the "maze" you can find something special.
One of the most interesting works of Dali presented at the museum-theater is the painting "Disappearing Images". This canvas depicts two images. First, the viewer sees a girl reading a letter. Behind her, a map hangs on the wall. This image clearly correlates with the famous painting "Girl with a Letter" by Vermeer. When the view gets used, the portrait of Velazquez becomes clearly visible on the canvas.
According to the author, only one canvas shows the two largest representatives of the art world - Velazquez and Vermeer Delftsky.
Incredible holographic experiments of the famous surrealist
The Salvador Dali Museum in Spain provides an opportunity to see magnificent three-dimensional images. One of Dali's most famous and interesting holographic experiments is the portrait of American actress May West. He was embodied by the master in the form of a real room. It contains pieces of furniture and decor, including a fireplace, a sofa in the shape of lips, a pedestal, paintings depicting views of the Seine and Paris. These things extraordinary turn into the beautiful face of May West. To see this optical illusion, you need to climb the stairs and look through a special lens.
New arrivals to the museum-theater collection
Since January 14, 2014, the Salvador Dali Museum in Spain presents a painting called The Phantom Wagon. Fundación Dalí acquired it from a private collector who wished to remain anonymous. This work is special - it reflects an important surreal period in the life and work of the author. This small picture was painted in oil on a mahogany board in 1933. It depicts a two-wheeled wagon moving to the village. And the central place of the whole composition is occupied by the endless Catalan plain. The picture conveys a special calm and attunes to thoughts. It is made in a calm tan color scheme.
In addition to Dali's works, the museum also hosts paintings by other artists, including Marcel Duchamp and El Greco.
Address and working hours of the Dali Museum
If you want to visit the “theater” of Dali and to see first-hand the great works of a brilliant creator, come to the address: Figueras, Gala Salvador Dali Square, 5.
The museum-theater operates in the spring-summer period as follows: from 01.03 to 01.06. - from 9:30 to 18:00, from 01.07 to 01.09 - from 9:00 to 20:00. In autumn and winter, the reception regime changes. From 01.10 to 30.10 the museum operates from 09:30 to 18:00, and from 01.11 to 28.02 - from 10:30 to 18:00. Remember that the reception of visitors stops 45 minutes before the end of the working day. The museum does not work on holidays - 12/25 and 01/01., And is also closed on Mondays from 01.10 and 31.05.
Ticket prices
Ordinary categories of citizens can buy a ticket to the Salvador Dali Museum in Figueres for € 12. But a system of discounts is also provided - for students, the ticket will cost € 9, for pensioners, the unemployed and groups (more than 25 people) - € 8. Important: after paying for the entrance to the main museum, you can also see for free an amazing exhibition of jewelry, which is located in the next building. We do not recommend you to visit this place in a group, as well as to arrive at lunchtime - from 13:00 to 14:00, when tourists from excursion groups fill the building. We advise you to come to the museum in the morning, buy a guidebook and calmly enjoy the works of the great master of surrealism.