Dalí. The Paintings

Salvador Dalí – The Complete Art Book on His Pictorial Work and Surrealism

The most comprehensive study to date on Salvador Dalí's paintings and his influence on the history of modern art

This publication offers the most exhaustive view of Salvador Dalí's (1904–1989) pictorial work and his central role within surrealism. Based on years of research, Robert Descharnes and Gilles Néret located numerous unknown works and thoroughly documented Dalí's artistic universe.

For the first time, the volume presents his paintings in an expanded context that includes drawings, writings, preparatory sketches, and ephemera. This allows for a unique understanding of his thoughts on the subconscious, dream worlds, and the "miraculous" structure of reality that defines his art.

Dalí summarized his life's ambition by saying that he wanted "to be only Salvador Dalí." This idea is reflected in a body of work that constantly breaks boundaries and has decisively shaped 20th-century art.

The study is divided into two parts: the first analyzes his formative years and his relationship with styles such as impressionism, cubism, fauvism, and futurism. The second focuses on his mature period and his exploration of the subconscious.

Key works include The Tuna Fishing (1966/67) and The Hallucinogenic Toreador (1970). The book also features little-known homages to masters such as Velázquez and Michelangelo, as well as references to ballet, cinema, fashion, advertising, and applied arts.

This art book is an essential reference work for a deep understanding of Salvador Dalí's work, surrealism, and the evolution of modern art.

The Authors

Gilles Néret (1933–2005) was an art historian, journalist, and exhibition critic. He organized major international retrospectives and published numerous reference works on Dalí, Matisse, and erotic art.

Robert Descharnes (1926–2014) was a photographer and author. He documented and cataloged Salvador Dalí's work and is considered one of the leading experts on his life and artistic production.

• Dimensions: 21 x 26 cm
• Pages: 752
• Languages: English, Spanish
• Binding: Hardcover
• Weight: 2.67 kg