Salvador Dali

1904 - 1989

Born in Figueras, Spain, Dali was one of the most controversial artists of the 20th century. Dali started his career as a Cubist. He subsequently became involved with the Surrealist movement although he was criticised by them for his extravagant lifestyle and his love of money. His paintings are filled with images of violence, death and bizarre sexual practices.
His parents believed he was the reincarnation of an earlier child, also called Salvador, who died a year earlier. Dali's autobiography described the traumatic effects this belief had on his life, and whilst he had loving parents, this undoubtedly caused Dali long term psychological problems.

In 1926 Dali met Pablo Picasso at The School of Fine Arts in Paris. In 1984 Dali was badly burned in a fire in his Castle in Pubol, he died some 5 years later at the age of 85.