Salvaodr Dali: Exploring the Irrational

by Edmund Swinglehurst

Book Overview

Salvador Dali (1904-1989) was one of the twentieth century's most famous artists, a painter whose remarkably potent work is recognized the world over. Both his extraordinary artwork and a brilliantly... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0765197243
• ISBN13: 9780765197245
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: Smithmark Publishers
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 9.1" x 12.6"

Customer Reviews

Get to know Dali

Nobody could ever accuse Dali of good taste, but that is what the greatest art is all about. He was weird, he was shocking, he was clever and he certainly knew how to get noticed. Here, he is celebrated in all his controversial glory. Learn about his early life, influences and family. Get to know about his marriage to Gala and, of course, marvel at his masterful but disturbing paintings. Observe how his works gradually transformed from still lives to surreal reinterpretations of Renaissance art throughout the course of his life. And see how he tried to tackle his own insecurities and doubts in his art. My only real gripe is Swinglehurst's overly critical selection of works he chose to display. Granted, Dali's overall collection would span several books, but I feel some noteworthy pieces were left out. Great stuff, and a fine introduction to the life and art of Dali.

A fine introduction to Dali

First, I am obliged to say that the above review by Chimera is inaccurate. This book does reproduce an illustration by Chagall, but it is clearly labeled and attributed to Chagall with a paragraph upholding Chagall as the thematic antithesis to Dali. I'm a librarian and have placed this book in our collection. It represents a good value in that it has quality full-color reproductions of 100 of Dali's works and provides excellent, readable commentary on each work and on the phases of Dali's long career. I would reserve a fifth star for a higher quality coffee-table style book from Phaidon or Abrams, but this book is a very fine introduction to Dali for a very nice price.