Dali

This is one of the "Great Modern Masters" series on 20th-century artists. This book covers the work of Salvador Dali (1904-1989). It presents 74 reproductions of works from his career, beginning with canvases rarely seen - his earliest paintings created while still in his teens. Although Dali worked in many styles - realist, abstract, Cubist - he is most often thought of as a leader in the Surrealist movement of the 1920 and 30s. Indeed, the words Surrealism and Dali are almost synonymous, despite his stormy split from the movement to launch his own style, portraying an imagined world of symbols projecting visions steeped in sexual and religious images. The book offers commentaries on each colour plate, providing insights into Dali's output of phantasmagoric paintings, drawings, and graphics. Dali also created theatre, opera, and ballet sets, was a pioneer in Surrealist film-making, illustrated numerous books, wrote an autobiography and a novel, and designed fashion and jewellry. Two examples of the latter are included here.