The Swallow’s Tail, 1983
At age 79 and in failing health, Dali painted his last picture.
Dali borrowed these geometric forms from French mathematician Rene Thom . The swallow’s tail, of course, is reminiscent of Dali’s moustache. Some people think Dali predicted his death in this painting. He is buried in Figueras, in the basement of his Teatre-Museu .
Dada was an artistic and cultural movement that began during World War I in Zurich; and extended to cities like Berlin, Paris and New York City. It mainly impacted literature, graphic design, visual arts and theater. Dadaism has influenced many other artistic styles, including Surrealism and Pop Art. In fact, many artists involved with this movement later became Surrealists.
Dada was a rejection of the evils of war and the oppressive nature of conventional society. Dada artists had a contemptuous, sarcastic attitude toward traditional art forms, social values and contemporary culture. Works from this movement have been described as cryptic, irrational, playful, absurd and instictive; but that was their goal. Dada was supposed to represent the exact opposite of standardized art- the interpretation of the art is up to the viewer.
Salvador Dali and many other Parisian Surrealists were directly involved with or influenced by Dadaism.
The Metamorphosis of Narcissus, 1937
Shirley Temple, the Youngest, Most Sacred Monster of Cinema in Her Time, 1939
Slave Market with the Disappearing Bust of Voltaire, 1940
Raphaelesque Head Exploding, 1951
The Colossus of Rhodes, 1954
Hallucinogenous Bullfighter, 1970
Wind Palace, 1972
This is a ceiling painting in the “Teatre-Museu ” in Figueras.
Soft Self Portrait with Fried Bacon, 1941
Dali describes this painting as “an anti-psychological self portrait; instead of painting the soul, that is to say, what is within, I painted the exterior, the shell, the glove of myself. This glove of myself is edible and even tastes a little rank, like a hung game; for that reason there are ants and a rasher of fried bacon in the picture. Being the most generous of all artists, I am forever offering myself up to be eaten, and thus afford delicious sustenance to the age.”
Gala with Two Lamp Chops in Equilibrium on Her Shoulder, 1933
Angelus of Gala, 1935
Galarina, 1944-45
My Wife, Naked, Looking at her own Body, which is transformed into Steps, Three Vertebrae of a Column, Sky and Architechture, 1945
The Madonna of Port Lligat, 1950
The Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus, 1958-59
Gala Looking at the Mediterranean Sea which from a Distance of 20 Meters is Transformed into a Portrait of Abraham Lincoln, 1976