Salvador Dalí

Salvador Dalí was one of the most captivating and challenging artists of the 20th century. Born in Figueres, Spain, he showed artistic talent early and attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Madrid, though he was expelled twice because he believed he was more qualified than his examiners. As a young artist, he immersed himself in the writings of Freud and studied cubism, futurism, and metaphysical art.
After one-person shows in Barcelona in 1925 and Madrid in 1926, Dalí traveled to Paris where he met Picasso. Though initially rejected by the surrealists for possessing too much technical skill, he was later appointed an official surrealist by Andre Breton and became the movement’s most spectacular advocate. His graphic work includes etchings, lithographs, and combinations of both that evolved alongside his paintings.
In the mid-1950s, Dalí met Drs. Guiseppe and Mara Albaretto, who became his most important friends and patrons. Their friendship lasted until his death in 1989 and produced the largest private collection of Dalí originals in the world. The Albarettos published many of his works, including the “Sacra Biblia (Sacred Bible)” portfolio, the “1001 Arabian Nights” series, and the “Odyssey” of Homer. They also acquired “Les Heures Claires,” publisher of the “Divine Comedy,” comprising 101 wood engravings. Dalí is represented by Park West Gallery, which offers collectors access to his remarkable graphic works.