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Salvador Dali (1904 - 1989) Spanish painter, graphic artist, filmmaker, writer. A modern master of the surreal arts, Salvador Dali's works continually challenged convention by questioning the antithesis of surrealism: our normal sense of the "real." Surrealism's objective was to make accessible to art the realms of the unconscious, irrational and imaginary. An expansive movement that extended beyond the canvas, Surrealism embraced literature, music, cinema, philosophy and popular culture. Dali's works drew inspiration from fellow Surrealists, such as Giorgio de Chirico, Max Ernst, Joan Miro... |
To create the Mythology portfolio, Dali drew closely upon the symbolism of ancient Greek legends. To illustrate these works, Dali used his own technique called hazard objectif, or the meaningful manifestation of chance. He would begin with an abstract smudge, and from this smudge develop the overlying theme of the work. Dali considered this mark his sign of Fate, much like the Pythia of Delphi interpreting the Oracle from a smoke filled cave. This is particularly noticeable in his etchings entitled: Oedipus and Sphinx, Theseus and Minotaurus, Jupiter, Pegasus, and The Milky Way. In the creation process of this suite, Dali experimented with a variety of unusual tools such as chisels, nails, wheels and even a real octopus immersed in acid, which left its imprint on the Medusa image. The suite was published between 1963 and 1965 and contains 16 mixed media prints with engraving, drypoint and hand coloring; each measuring 22" x 30". |