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dali
Dali! What has not been said or written about him?
To begin with, the numerous observations that Dali has made about Dali or that are recorded in his autobiographical books! Indeed, hasn't Dali repeatedly declared that his painting represents no more than "the tip of the iceberg that is constituted by his work as a whole"?
However it may be, Dali is incontestably one of the greatest painters of all time. Those who admire and collect his works are well aware of this and do not pay undue attention to his many eccentricities, his clowning, his invariably scandalous behaviour in public. What is most striking is the quality of intelligence that is present in whatever Dali does.
Today, when many artists conceal their weaknesses under the banner of some "school" or "group", Dali, who is completely independent, has perfected a unique method of "critical paranoia" that plays a key role in his development. Paradoxically, then, Dali, whose fertile and exuberant imagination is unrivalled among contemporary painters, never begins anything that has not been carefully prepared and thought out in advance. There is not a single painting by this master that does not have its logical place and precise meaning in the general context of his work. Yet before this secret order can be seen, it is obviously necessary to know how to see it.
To begin with, the numerous observations that Dali has made about Dali or that are recorded in his autobiographical books! Indeed, hasn't Dali repeatedly declared that his painting represents no more than "the tip of the iceberg that is constituted by his work as a whole"?
However it may be, Dali is incontestably one of the greatest painters of all time. Those who admire and collect his works are well aware of this and do not pay undue attention to his many eccentricities, his clowning, his invariably scandalous behaviour in public. What is most striking is the quality of intelligence that is present in whatever Dali does.
Today, when many artists conceal their weaknesses under the banner of some "school" or "group", Dali, who is completely independent, has perfected a unique method of "critical paranoia" that plays a key role in his development. Paradoxically, then, Dali, whose fertile and exuberant imagination is unrivalled among contemporary painters, never begins anything that has not been carefully prepared and thought out in advance. There is not a single painting by this master that does not have its logical place and precise meaning in the general context of his work. Yet before this secret order can be seen, it is obviously necessary to know how to see it.
86 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1974
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 8, 2022
One problem with this book is the reproductions of Dali's paintings--the colors in his works are not so saturated as they appear in the plates of this book.
On the other hand, I have two other books that include reproductions of Dali's work, and this is the only one of the three that includes The Persistence of Memory.
Acquired Apr 1, 1985
Cheap Thrills, Montreal, Quebec
On the other hand, I have two other books that include reproductions of Dali's work, and this is the only one of the three that includes The Persistence of Memory.
Acquired Apr 1, 1985
Cheap Thrills, Montreal, Quebec
March 28, 2017
A useful guide to the development of Dali's astonishing range of paintings, including a biography and 80+ plates showing the Gala-inspired wonders that are so photo-real, to the wonderful soft clocks, the shocking risqué unreality and Bosch-like grotesqueries that explode out at you from almost every page.
Dali was, and still is, one of the greatest painters in fine - and foul - art.
Dali was, and still is, one of the greatest painters in fine - and foul - art.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews