【Book Introduction】
Salvador Dalí (1904–1989) was one of the most iconic artists of the 20th century. More than a painter, he also worked across sculpture, writing, and film, becoming one of the most unforgettable figures of Surrealism through his unmistakable visual style, theatrical public persona, and extraordinary imagination.
Dalí’s exploration of dreams, desire, fear, and the subconscious was deeply influenced by the psychoanalytic theories of Sigmund Freud. He was also among the first major artists to bring psychoanalytic ideas into painting. Using meticulous, highly realistic techniques, he depicted distorted bodies, strange landscapes, melting objects, and enigmatic symbols, transforming fantasies of the subconscious into visual scenes that feel at once vivid, uncanny, and unsettling.
This publication focuses on Dalí’s painted oeuvre and offers a comprehensive overview of his vast and constantly evolving artistic career. After years of research, Robert Descharnes and Gilles Néret traced and documented paintings by this extraordinarily prolific artist that had been scattered across different collections. Many of these works had remained inaccessible or rarely seen by the public for years, making a significant portion of the images in this volume particularly valuable.
Through an extensive selection of artworks, readers can encounter not only Dalí’s most celebrated Surrealist paintings, but also his recurring investigations into religion, science, desire, death, and self-image throughout different stages of his career. From his precise technical mastery to his boundless imagination, this book reveals how Dalí transformed personal fantasy, psychological exploration, and artistic experimentation into a visual language entirely his own.
For readers seeking a deeper understanding of Salvador Dalí, Surrealism, and 20th-century modern art, this volume serves both as an important collection of his works and as a valuable reference for study and appreciation.
【Series Introduction】
Bibliotheca Universalis is a classic TASCHEN series featuring major subjects in art, design, architecture, photography, fashion, and culture in a compact format. Combining strong visual presentation with substantial content, the series makes landmark art publications more accessible, collectible, and enjoyable to read.
【Details】
Authors︰Robert Descharnes, Gilles Néret
Publisher︰TASCHEN
Publication Year︰2013
Dimensions︰19 × 15 cm
Binding︰Hardcover
Pages︰780 pages