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Dali #1
Dalí - Volume 1 - Before Gala
Is there someone out there who will accept us for who we are? That's what renowned artist Salvador Dalí was wondering before he met Gala, the love of his life. But just who was this person she accepted? Birmant and Oubrerie attempt to answer this question in the first volume of their Dalí biography, following the misadventures in Figueras, Madrid, and Paris of the feckless young man—dreamer, klutz, art school dropout, bourgeois son, a preternaturally gifted draftsman and an orthopterophobe, painfully timid yet privately arrogant—who would go on to become one of the 20th century's best-known painters.
85 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 8, 2023
45 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 24, 2023
4.5★
This graphic novel, written in a humorous tone, tells the story of Salvador Dalí, a Spanish surrealist artist known for bizarre images in his works. The biography is part one - before he met Gala (the love of his life). It is about his student years when he was friends with José Bello, Federico García Lorca, and Luis Buñuel. In those days, no one would say he would become one of the 20th century’s best-known painters.
I like the illustrations. They are perfect for the story of Dalí.
Thanks to Europe Comics for the advance copy and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.
This graphic novel, written in a humorous tone, tells the story of Salvador Dalí, a Spanish surrealist artist known for bizarre images in his works. The biography is part one - before he met Gala (the love of his life). It is about his student years when he was friends with José Bello, Federico García Lorca, and Luis Buñuel. In those days, no one would say he would become one of the 20th century’s best-known painters.
I like the illustrations. They are perfect for the story of Dalí.
Thanks to Europe Comics for the advance copy and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.
January 14, 2024
3/5
- Thank you to the author and the publisher for providing me a copy through NetGalley. -
Interesting way to tell Dalí's life.
I liked the art and think it was spot on for the period this graphic novel is set.
Considering it's written V1 and "to be continued" at the end of the book, there's definitely going to be a continuation to it, problably getting deeper into Dalí's life.
So far we didn't see much of his life, we start from his school period till his first encounter with Gala.
From this first volume tho, we can already get his different perception of the world and his way he connects with the people around him.
Good start to this series.
- Thank you to the author and the publisher for providing me a copy through NetGalley. -
Interesting way to tell Dalí's life.
I liked the art and think it was spot on for the period this graphic novel is set.
Considering it's written V1 and "to be continued" at the end of the book, there's definitely going to be a continuation to it, problably getting deeper into Dalí's life.
So far we didn't see much of his life, we start from his school period till his first encounter with Gala.
From this first volume tho, we can already get his different perception of the world and his way he connects with the people around him.
Good start to this series.
December 15, 2023
Thanks to Europe Comics for giving me the ARC of this graphic novel in exchange of a honest review.
Dalí is one of my favorite artists ever. When i had the opportunity to see his work live it impacted me in such a way that from there on i simply adopted the Surrealism artistic movement as one of my favorites after German romanticism.
This graphic novel is about Dalí's early life, the trouble he had in university as a art student, how he and his friends, other important figures in art, began the surrealist movement and what it meant back then when there's a difficult political situation in both France and Spain. His journey is told in a very dynamic and fast-paced way that sometimes leave you lost, but i found it apt for portraying a character like Dalí. Though i would have liked more panels.
I'd recommend this to anyone interested in the subject, however i feel this is way more enjoyable if you already know a bit of the background of the characters and topics presented here.
Dalí is one of my favorite artists ever. When i had the opportunity to see his work live it impacted me in such a way that from there on i simply adopted the Surrealism artistic movement as one of my favorites after German romanticism.
This graphic novel is about Dalí's early life, the trouble he had in university as a art student, how he and his friends, other important figures in art, began the surrealist movement and what it meant back then when there's a difficult political situation in both France and Spain. His journey is told in a very dynamic and fast-paced way that sometimes leave you lost, but i found it apt for portraying a character like Dalí. Though i would have liked more panels.
I'd recommend this to anyone interested in the subject, however i feel this is way more enjoyable if you already know a bit of the background of the characters and topics presented here.
March 22, 2026
Le livre raconte l’histoire des débuts de Dali, avant qu’il ne rencontre l’amour de sa vie Gala. J'ai trouvé ça intéressant d'observer sa manière différente de voir le monde...
November 23, 2023
My thanks to Europe Comics for a review copy of ‘Dalí 1: Before Gala’ with script by Julie Birmant and illustrated by Clément Oubrerie. It was translated from the French by Edward Gauvin.
This is the first volume in a biography of Salvador Dalí in a graphic novel format. It opens in November 1929 with Pablo Picasso and the poet Paul Éluard discussing Éluard’s wife, Gala, and Salvador Dalí. Picasso warns the poet about Dalí’s intentions and draws a sketch of a black cat with Dali’s signature moustache, saying of him: “there is something baleful and ancient about him. This is Dalí: Mephisto”.
The Dalí-cat then takes over the narrative telling the enthralled Gala about Dalí’s early life in Figueras as the son of a bourgeois lawyer and later his time in Madrid where he attended art school. At first he is a shy, dreamy, eccentric young man with long hair and unfashionable clothing. He is befriended by a group of young men associated with the emerging avant-garde movement: José Bello, Federico García Lorca, and Luis Buñuel.
They collectively draw Dalí out of his shell and encourage him to embrace modernity. There follows a number of misadventures in Madrid and eventually Paris where he becomes a member of the Surrealists. At the very end of Volume 1 Gala enters his life and the Dalí-cat teases the readers with a ‘to be continued’.
I was impressed with how well Birmant and Oubrerie were able to encapsulate Dalí’s early career, including his collaboration with Luis Buñuel on the groundbreaking film, ‘Un Chien Andalou’.
Clément Oubrerie’s art was excellent throughout and quite restrained, only occasionally moving into hallucinatory scenes, such as when a group of women morph into grasshoppers, an insect that fills Dalí with dread.
Overall, I found ‘Dalí 1: Before Gala’ an excellent example of how graphic novels can be utilised for a nonfiction topic, such as a biography. I can see that Birmant and Oubrerie have written a number of biographies of 20th century artists and hope that these too might find their way into English translations. I also plan to read Vol 2 of ‘Dalí’ when it is published.
This is the first volume in a biography of Salvador Dalí in a graphic novel format. It opens in November 1929 with Pablo Picasso and the poet Paul Éluard discussing Éluard’s wife, Gala, and Salvador Dalí. Picasso warns the poet about Dalí’s intentions and draws a sketch of a black cat with Dali’s signature moustache, saying of him: “there is something baleful and ancient about him. This is Dalí: Mephisto”.
The Dalí-cat then takes over the narrative telling the enthralled Gala about Dalí’s early life in Figueras as the son of a bourgeois lawyer and later his time in Madrid where he attended art school. At first he is a shy, dreamy, eccentric young man with long hair and unfashionable clothing. He is befriended by a group of young men associated with the emerging avant-garde movement: José Bello, Federico García Lorca, and Luis Buñuel.
They collectively draw Dalí out of his shell and encourage him to embrace modernity. There follows a number of misadventures in Madrid and eventually Paris where he becomes a member of the Surrealists. At the very end of Volume 1 Gala enters his life and the Dalí-cat teases the readers with a ‘to be continued’.
I was impressed with how well Birmant and Oubrerie were able to encapsulate Dalí’s early career, including his collaboration with Luis Buñuel on the groundbreaking film, ‘Un Chien Andalou’.
Clément Oubrerie’s art was excellent throughout and quite restrained, only occasionally moving into hallucinatory scenes, such as when a group of women morph into grasshoppers, an insect that fills Dalí with dread.
Overall, I found ‘Dalí 1: Before Gala’ an excellent example of how graphic novels can be utilised for a nonfiction topic, such as a biography. I can see that Birmant and Oubrerie have written a number of biographies of 20th century artists and hope that these too might find their way into English translations. I also plan to read Vol 2 of ‘Dalí’ when it is published.
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February 27, 2024Je remercie #NetGalleyFrance et les �ditions Dargaud pour cette d�couverte de #Dali 1 - Avant Gala, par Julie Birmant et Cl�ment Oubrerie.Le premier tome de cette s�rie d'albums d�marre en novembre 1929 � Paris par une conversation entre Picasso et Eluard au sujet de la relation que Gala (la femme d'Eluard � cette �poque) entretien avec Dali. Picasso compare Dali � M�phisto, qu'il dessine... et le chat devient le fil rouge qui nous raconte la jeunesse du c�l�bre peintre. Quelques planches d�crivent l'adolescent qu'il �tait puis l'�tudiant des Beaux-Arts avant qu'il ne se fasse "virer". Salvador y rencontre Luis Bu�uel et Federico Garc�a Lorca, deux personnages d'importance dans la vie et l'oeuvre de Dali (ce qui est parfaitement retranscrit dans l'album). C'est d'ailleurs gr�ce � eux qu'il rejoint Paris, o� il rencontrera Gala, la femme de sa vie, sa muse intemporelle. L'album s'arr�te juste avant leur rencontre, d'o� le titre de ce premier tome "Avant Gala".Dali est un artiste que j'appr�cie beaucoup et dont je connais assez bien la biographie, c'est ce qui m'a incit�e � solliciter ce service de presse. J'ai aim� le parti pris de ce premier album court (moins d'une heure de lecture), m�me si je ne suis pas "fan" de ce type d'illustrations. Les dessins ne sont pas du tout dans le style "Daliesque", plut�t dans les tons pastels et aux traits fins, mais les amateur.ices de Dali s'y feront quand m�me. Les illustrations sont souvent tr�s expressives, pour autant, je n'ai pas �t� franchement s�duite par la patte graphique, assez classique. Notons tout de m�me quelques illustrations pleine page assez originales, dont une en particulier (page 46) qui correspond bien � l'univers de Dali (mais sans son coup de pinceau) : onirique, fourni et tourbillonnant. J'ai eu quelques soucis avec la typographie de certains textes, qui ne sont pas tr�s lisibles dans la version num�rique, mais cela ne m'a pas emp�ch�e d'appr�cier le sc�nario. Je suis donc curieuse de d�couvrir les prochains tomes !#Dali #NetGalleyFrance
September 28, 2023
Franchement, Dali jeune je n’y avais jamais songé! Trait émacié, yeux exorbités, cheveux longs et allure filiforme, voilà comment Julie Birmant associée à Clément Ombrerie le présente adolescent. Son physique s’assortit d’une intelligence précoce. Néanmoins timide et renfermé, Il est la risée de ces camarades. Il faut ajouter un comportement fantasque, une difficulté certaine à accepter l’autorité et la phobie des sauterelles.
Alors, renvoyé de son collège, son père, devenu veuf, accepte qu’il continue de peindre et de dessiner à condition de suivre l’Ecole des Beaux-arts de Madrid. Évidemment, Dali y fut admis de justesse, non pas, en répondant à la demande, mais en se distinguant par son génie précurseur. Néanmoins, son parcours ne cesse d’être chaotique. Son inadaptation est éclatante même si son intelligence est particulièrement affûtée.
Dès le début, le lecteur sait qu’il y aura une suite à ce tome, puisqu’une pleine page présente l’atelier de Picasso où le peintre met en garde le poète Eluard, sur la conduite de Dali, tout juste vingt ans, avec sa femme Gala. De plus, tout au long du roman graphique, c’est Dali qui raconte son histoire à Gala, dessiné par Picasso en chat.
Tour à tour, on croise Federico Garcia Lorca, Bunuel, Bello et Miro. Des éclipses ont été faites, notamment en passant très vite sur son premier, platonique, et son amitié avec Pétro Garfias et Eugénie Montés qui faisaient aussi partie de son clan à Madrid. Néanmoins, l’objectif de Julie Birmant est de poursuivre la vulgarisation de la vie des grands artistes, comme les quatre tomes consacrés à Picasso.
Une illustration soignée, des références documentées pour un artiste comme Dali dont les tableaux sont connus mais beaucoup moins sa biographie.
Suite de la chronique illustrée ici
https://vagabondageautourdesoi.com/20...
Alors, renvoyé de son collège, son père, devenu veuf, accepte qu’il continue de peindre et de dessiner à condition de suivre l’Ecole des Beaux-arts de Madrid. Évidemment, Dali y fut admis de justesse, non pas, en répondant à la demande, mais en se distinguant par son génie précurseur. Néanmoins, son parcours ne cesse d’être chaotique. Son inadaptation est éclatante même si son intelligence est particulièrement affûtée.
Dès le début, le lecteur sait qu’il y aura une suite à ce tome, puisqu’une pleine page présente l’atelier de Picasso où le peintre met en garde le poète Eluard, sur la conduite de Dali, tout juste vingt ans, avec sa femme Gala. De plus, tout au long du roman graphique, c’est Dali qui raconte son histoire à Gala, dessiné par Picasso en chat.
Tour à tour, on croise Federico Garcia Lorca, Bunuel, Bello et Miro. Des éclipses ont été faites, notamment en passant très vite sur son premier, platonique, et son amitié avec Pétro Garfias et Eugénie Montés qui faisaient aussi partie de son clan à Madrid. Néanmoins, l’objectif de Julie Birmant est de poursuivre la vulgarisation de la vie des grands artistes, comme les quatre tomes consacrés à Picasso.
Une illustration soignée, des références documentées pour un artiste comme Dali dont les tableaux sont connus mais beaucoup moins sa biographie.
Suite de la chronique illustrée ici
https://vagabondageautourdesoi.com/20...
September 27, 2023
« Et pourtant je suis seul, avec toutes ces images dans la tête. Seul - mon mot favori, le roi du monde ! »
Connaissez-vous Salvador Dalí ? Sa moustache à bouclettes et ses toiles surréalistes ne vous sont probablement pas étrangères. On découvre dans cette BD comment cet homme (très) loufoque a marqué l'art du XXe siècle !
Ce premier tome nous dépeint la jeunesse de Dalí. Introverti et farfelu, parfois même incompréhensible, c'est un garçon étrange, à la marge. Sa rencontre avec ses amis, futures cinéastes et poètes, va donner à Salvador l'audace d'exprimer ses idées. Il devient malgré lui une figure révolutionnaire, une figure de proue dans le Madrid des années 20. Et ce ne sont que ses débuts.
J'ai aimé en apprendre plus sur cet artiste dont les œuvres m'ont toujours un peu fascinés. Le style de Clément @oubrerie nous embarque dans l'univers surréaliste de l'artiste. Les couleurs accentuent les ambiances, et les pleines pages nous plongent dans la grandeur étrange des œuvres de Dalí. Les crayonnés de Gala et du chat noir, qui prennent vie pour commenter certains passages, donnent une touche de dynamisme et de souplesse au récit, en plus d'être très beaux. C'est un régal visuel qui nous fait ressentir l'esprit surréaliste.
À la fin de ma lecture, pourtant, je ne me sens pas plus proche de l'artiste. Dalì est parfois dépeint comme étant le seul à se comprendre... Et le lecteur reste sur la touche comme les autres. Je crois pourtant que c'est aussi une question de sensibilité de ma part, différente de cet univers.
Connaissez-vous Salvador Dalí ? Sa moustache à bouclettes et ses toiles surréalistes ne vous sont probablement pas étrangères. On découvre dans cette BD comment cet homme (très) loufoque a marqué l'art du XXe siècle !
Ce premier tome nous dépeint la jeunesse de Dalí. Introverti et farfelu, parfois même incompréhensible, c'est un garçon étrange, à la marge. Sa rencontre avec ses amis, futures cinéastes et poètes, va donner à Salvador l'audace d'exprimer ses idées. Il devient malgré lui une figure révolutionnaire, une figure de proue dans le Madrid des années 20. Et ce ne sont que ses débuts.
J'ai aimé en apprendre plus sur cet artiste dont les œuvres m'ont toujours un peu fascinés. Le style de Clément @oubrerie nous embarque dans l'univers surréaliste de l'artiste. Les couleurs accentuent les ambiances, et les pleines pages nous plongent dans la grandeur étrange des œuvres de Dalí. Les crayonnés de Gala et du chat noir, qui prennent vie pour commenter certains passages, donnent une touche de dynamisme et de souplesse au récit, en plus d'être très beaux. C'est un régal visuel qui nous fait ressentir l'esprit surréaliste.
À la fin de ma lecture, pourtant, je ne me sens pas plus proche de l'artiste. Dalì est parfois dépeint comme étant le seul à se comprendre... Et le lecteur reste sur la touche comme les autres. Je crois pourtant que c'est aussi une question de sensibilité de ma part, différente de cet univers.
November 8, 2023
http://www.leslecturesdophechups.fr/2...
Ce premier tome nous dépeint la jeunesse de Dalí . Jeune homme introverti et farfelu, c'est un garçon étrange, à la marge de la société.
Que dire de Dalí , comme vous le savez, c'est l'un des plus grands peintres du 20 -ème siècle, l'un des plus grands représentant du surréalisme ? L'homme des fameuses montres gluantes, l'homme aux deux moustaches pointues.
Dans cette BD, nous allons suivre Dali jeune lorsqu'il était jeune ! Loin de l'image que nous avons de lui aujourd'hui, il a les yeux globuleux, cheveux longs et une allure filiforme. Un jeune homme d’une intelligence précoce et d'un talent inouï .
Qui contraste avec son caractère timide et renfermé, ce qui lui vaut d'être la risée de ces camarades.
Sa vie va prendre un tournant différent quand il va se faire renvoyer de son école et va perdre sa mère. Il va donc passer un pacte avec son père, afin de continuer son art. Certes, Dali est intelligent, mais il va être admis de justesse à l’École des Beaux-Arts de Madrid.
Comme tout génie, il a du mal à s'adapter à son environnement et du mal à être compris. Sa vie ne va pas être de tout repos et sera semée d'embûches.
Cette BD est vraiment bien réalisée et j'ai hâte de découvrir la suite, car oui, il y aura une suite. Nous retrouvons de nombreuses personnalités dans cet ouvrage ce qui était fort agréable.
J'ai vraiment apprécié ce qui a été fait avec cette BD et cela m'a permis d'en connaître plus sur ce peintre.
Ce premier tome nous dépeint la jeunesse de Dalí . Jeune homme introverti et farfelu, c'est un garçon étrange, à la marge de la société.
Que dire de Dalí , comme vous le savez, c'est l'un des plus grands peintres du 20 -ème siècle, l'un des plus grands représentant du surréalisme ? L'homme des fameuses montres gluantes, l'homme aux deux moustaches pointues.
Dans cette BD, nous allons suivre Dali jeune lorsqu'il était jeune ! Loin de l'image que nous avons de lui aujourd'hui, il a les yeux globuleux, cheveux longs et une allure filiforme. Un jeune homme d’une intelligence précoce et d'un talent inouï .
Qui contraste avec son caractère timide et renfermé, ce qui lui vaut d'être la risée de ces camarades.
Sa vie va prendre un tournant différent quand il va se faire renvoyer de son école et va perdre sa mère. Il va donc passer un pacte avec son père, afin de continuer son art. Certes, Dali est intelligent, mais il va être admis de justesse à l’École des Beaux-Arts de Madrid.
Comme tout génie, il a du mal à s'adapter à son environnement et du mal à être compris. Sa vie ne va pas être de tout repos et sera semée d'embûches.
Cette BD est vraiment bien réalisée et j'ai hâte de découvrir la suite, car oui, il y aura une suite. Nous retrouvons de nombreuses personnalités dans cet ouvrage ce qui était fort agréable.
J'ai vraiment apprécié ce qui a été fait avec cette BD et cela m'a permis d'en connaître plus sur ce peintre.
November 18, 2023
I've been fascinated by Dali's art and cinematography for years, so I jumped at the chance to read this graphic novel.
Dali - Before Gala is the first volume in the series and tells about Dali's early life and art before the widespread fame. I enjoyed the context of his friendships and other relationships with other artists of the age, as well as his family dynamics and motivation behind becoming an artist. One of my favorite scenes was the imagining of his famous movie, Un Chien Andalou, together with his friend Luis Bunuel.
There's some confusion however and the story is rather disjointed, mostly due to the fact that Dali rarely says anything 100% intelligible. He is portrayed as perpetually doing and saying odd things that have nothing to do with the context, but everyone around him somehow enjoys and celebrates him for it. For this reason it's not really a biography, but rather an abstract interpretation of his life. Fitting that it leaves a lot to the interpretation, but some scenes just left me wondering what it was that I just read.
What I did love was the artwork. It has nothing to do with Dali's art style, and I didn't expect anything of the sort either. It's light and sketchy and portrays the general weirdness really well. There's also a Dali-as-a-cat narrator that's delightful throughout the book.
Overall, an interesting book - I'm just not sure where it's going! Maybe Vol 2 sheds some light.
✨ Disclaimer ✨ I received a free copy of this book and this is my honest review.
Dali - Before Gala is the first volume in the series and tells about Dali's early life and art before the widespread fame. I enjoyed the context of his friendships and other relationships with other artists of the age, as well as his family dynamics and motivation behind becoming an artist. One of my favorite scenes was the imagining of his famous movie, Un Chien Andalou, together with his friend Luis Bunuel.
There's some confusion however and the story is rather disjointed, mostly due to the fact that Dali rarely says anything 100% intelligible. He is portrayed as perpetually doing and saying odd things that have nothing to do with the context, but everyone around him somehow enjoys and celebrates him for it. For this reason it's not really a biography, but rather an abstract interpretation of his life. Fitting that it leaves a lot to the interpretation, but some scenes just left me wondering what it was that I just read.
What I did love was the artwork. It has nothing to do with Dali's art style, and I didn't expect anything of the sort either. It's light and sketchy and portrays the general weirdness really well. There's also a Dali-as-a-cat narrator that's delightful throughout the book.
Overall, an interesting book - I'm just not sure where it's going! Maybe Vol 2 sheds some light.
✨ Disclaimer ✨ I received a free copy of this book and this is my honest review.
November 7, 2023
A fine collection of amusing anecdotes about the young Dali, told by himself (well, by his alter-ego, the cat Mephisto, drawn by Picasso).
As a child, he demonstrates the superiority of painting over music... by jumping on a classmate's violin case. He glues stones to a painting to make clouds. As a teenager, he's already unable to fit in and obey the boundaries of the Beaux Arts entrance exam. As a student, he's so odd that his only friends are centenarian (Velasquez, the best!), at least until he meets his first great (platonic!) love of his youth, Federico Garcia Lorca - and his gang, Luis Bunuel and Pépin Bello.
Julie Birmant (Pablo, Isadora, Drôles de femmes...) has fun building an eloquent portrait out of Dali's idiosyncrasies, while Clément Oubrerie (Aya de Yopougon, A mains nues, Pablo...) excels at capturing the zeitgeist, although he doesn't copy his protagonist's style at all.
A not-so-serious biography, yet very seriously written, a very funny and instructive read, whether you like Dali or not.
Disclaimer: I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. This didn't influence my opinion in any way.
As a child, he demonstrates the superiority of painting over music... by jumping on a classmate's violin case. He glues stones to a painting to make clouds. As a teenager, he's already unable to fit in and obey the boundaries of the Beaux Arts entrance exam. As a student, he's so odd that his only friends are centenarian (Velasquez, the best!), at least until he meets his first great (platonic!) love of his youth, Federico Garcia Lorca - and his gang, Luis Bunuel and Pépin Bello.
Julie Birmant (Pablo, Isadora, Drôles de femmes...) has fun building an eloquent portrait out of Dali's idiosyncrasies, while Clément Oubrerie (Aya de Yopougon, A mains nues, Pablo...) excels at capturing the zeitgeist, although he doesn't copy his protagonist's style at all.
A not-so-serious biography, yet very seriously written, a very funny and instructive read, whether you like Dali or not.
Disclaimer: I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. This didn't influence my opinion in any way.
October 3, 2023
Merci à @netgalleyfrance et @dargaud
pour le service presse.
#NetGalleyFrance
#dali #bandedessinee
Une lecture très différente de ce que je lis habituellement. Mais une bande dessinée mettant un scène la vie de cet artiste, je ne pouvais pas passer à côté !
J'avoue que lire sur liseuse en noir et blanc a un peu gâché mon plaisir. Dali, c'est la profusion de couleurs, retracer sa vie en tons de gris est un peu un non sens. Je l'aurais encore plus apprécié dans sa version papier.
Ce tome retrace le tout début de sa carrière et nous permet de découvrir son caractère déjà farfelu. Nous rencontrins quelques grands noms de l'époque : Luis Bunuel, Garcia Lorca, Paul Eluard, Picasso... Toute une époque qui a vu naître tant de grands talents.
Même sans connaître l'œuvre du peintre, il est très intéressant de le découvrir à travers ces pages.
Une lecture que j'ai vraiment appréciée et qui me donne envie de découvrir la suite, en couleurs cette fois.
pour le service presse.
#NetGalleyFrance
#dali #bandedessinee
Une lecture très différente de ce que je lis habituellement. Mais une bande dessinée mettant un scène la vie de cet artiste, je ne pouvais pas passer à côté !
J'avoue que lire sur liseuse en noir et blanc a un peu gâché mon plaisir. Dali, c'est la profusion de couleurs, retracer sa vie en tons de gris est un peu un non sens. Je l'aurais encore plus apprécié dans sa version papier.
Ce tome retrace le tout début de sa carrière et nous permet de découvrir son caractère déjà farfelu. Nous rencontrins quelques grands noms de l'époque : Luis Bunuel, Garcia Lorca, Paul Eluard, Picasso... Toute une époque qui a vu naître tant de grands talents.
Même sans connaître l'œuvre du peintre, il est très intéressant de le découvrir à travers ces pages.
Une lecture que j'ai vraiment appréciée et qui me donne envie de découvrir la suite, en couleurs cette fois.
December 17, 2023
I voluntarily read and reviewed this advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I rifled through the NetGalley catalog and this title caught my eye. The colors were bright and I've always loved Dali. Once I read further into the comic, unfortunately my interest dwindled. The illustrations and color palette were vibrant, but the story paled in comparison. It relayed the early life of Salvador Dali, but it was told in a boring and flat manner. It's tragic that a larger than life figure was muffled through a mediocre narrative. Although this was merely volume one, I don't believe I'll be continuing with the series. I can appreciate the author's dedication in sharing the life of this influential artist, but it didn't fully capture my attention.
I rifled through the NetGalley catalog and this title caught my eye. The colors were bright and I've always loved Dali. Once I read further into the comic, unfortunately my interest dwindled. The illustrations and color palette were vibrant, but the story paled in comparison. It relayed the early life of Salvador Dali, but it was told in a boring and flat manner. It's tragic that a larger than life figure was muffled through a mediocre narrative. Although this was merely volume one, I don't believe I'll be continuing with the series. I can appreciate the author's dedication in sharing the life of this influential artist, but it didn't fully capture my attention.
November 24, 2023
Dali’s work has mesmerized me since I was a kid, but I had never read anything about who he really was before reading this graphic novel. What an engrossing introduction to young Dali with an intriguing framing of the story. Mephisto the cat acts as a Virgil of sorts to the reader’s Dante--exploring the world of Dali.
The watercolor style of artwork is well done and the full page frames are gorgeous. I really enjoyed the references to familiar artworks and all of the tidbits about Dali’s past–which offer different paths of thought on their own. Soon to be going down a Dali and Lorca rabbit hole. I also learned what a phasmid is.
There were a couple of muddy parts (e.g. false nun in Paris) and did not have fun reading the cursive text, but overall a very enjoyable book. I would suggest this to readers who have an interest in Dali or art history.
The watercolor style of artwork is well done and the full page frames are gorgeous. I really enjoyed the references to familiar artworks and all of the tidbits about Dali’s past–which offer different paths of thought on their own. Soon to be going down a Dali and Lorca rabbit hole. I also learned what a phasmid is.
There were a couple of muddy parts (e.g. false nun in Paris) and did not have fun reading the cursive text, but overall a very enjoyable book. I would suggest this to readers who have an interest in Dali or art history.
November 10, 2023
I adore the art of Dali but I will admit this graphic novel left me very confused. I understand it is about Dali before his most famous art was even imagined but that's all I understood.
Was the author insinuating Dali was gay or Bi? No idea. Crazy? Yes that I can assume is true. I found the story a little hard to follow.
The artwork itself is lovely though. The story is well drawn and detailed.
It is worth taking a lok at but may be easier to follow once the entire series is out.
Thanks to @netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion./
Was the author insinuating Dali was gay or Bi? No idea. Crazy? Yes that I can assume is true. I found the story a little hard to follow.
The artwork itself is lovely though. The story is well drawn and detailed.
It is worth taking a lok at but may be easier to follow once the entire series is out.
Thanks to @netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion./
November 26, 2023
As with many historical figures, I am not familiar with Salvador Dali and his life, only with his name. This volume follows his childhood to his adulthood which seems to be filled from cover to cover with misadventures. Anyhow, since I'm not familiar with his life, this graphic novel makes me dizzy with how many details are in it and how little notes exist to actually explain them. I struggle to catch up and to see the artist and the writer's big terms and little nods until the book gets to the point of "Un chien andalou," the only movie made by him that I've seen. This is a good book. I'm not sure it's a great book for people who doesn't know his life already.
November 16, 2023
The story of Dali, in comic book form. I love surrealism, and I am familiar with Dali's artwork, even doing a paper on his 'The Persistence of Memory', (1931) in college. His early life was a mystery to me and this comic lays out Dali's early years. Kicked out of art school, being famous for his early works, the artists he hung out with, only makes me desire to grow as an artist (myself) at that time in his life.
The artwork in this comic took liberties at showing us what it looks like in his head. I did know he was a bit of a nutcase.
The artwork in this comic took liberties at showing us what it looks like in his head. I did know he was a bit of a nutcase.
November 29, 2023
I thought this was an amazing way to deal with a nonfiction topic. This is about the early life of Salvador Dali, but it's presented both seriously and with fantasy elements.
It's especially interesting to me because the book manages to deal with personal and political issues well, and I always feel as though my knowledge of that historical period is lacking. I hope I get to read the others in this series so I can learn more about these fascinating people.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this
It's especially interesting to me because the book manages to deal with personal and political issues well, and I always feel as though my knowledge of that historical period is lacking. I hope I get to read the others in this series so I can learn more about these fascinating people.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this
March 31, 2024
A neat look at the youth of an awkward and bizarre Salvador Dali, who apparently was not a ladies' man before his 20s at least, and came from a rich (or at least upper-middle-class) family. I knew very little about Dali, and know only a smattering more having read this, but it's an entertaining, if not always easy to follow read. In addition to shining a flashlight in Dali's general direction, the book does at least as much for the Surrealist movement in Europe, opening a door to fun and fascinating further research in the process.
October 29, 2023
Excellente bd biographique ! J'adore Dali depuis l'adolescence, et j'avais dont quelques attentes vis à vis d'une bd sur le sujet et je ne fus pas du tout déçue, bien au contraire ! C'est enlevé et rythmé, bien construit et on a clairement envie de lire la suite quand on ferme la bd. Un premier tome très réussi qui évoque parfaitement les jeunes années de l'artiste et le contexte dans lequel il évoluait, d'abord à Figueras puis à Paris. Hâte de découvrir la suite.
December 7, 2023
I have mixed feelings about this book.
It starts with the cover, I don't love it, but after reading the story I could appreciate its meaning.
I enjoyed the drawings and the way the story was told. But after a certain part of the story I lost focus, it got slightly messy. I guess it truly is Dalí-like.
In general, it's a good story, a good book. It left me wanting to read more about Dalí's life.
3.5*
Read through NetGalley
It starts with the cover, I don't love it, but after reading the story I could appreciate its meaning.
I enjoyed the drawings and the way the story was told. But after a certain part of the story I lost focus, it got slightly messy. I guess it truly is Dalí-like.
In general, it's a good story, a good book. It left me wanting to read more about Dalí's life.
3.5*
Read through NetGalley
December 3, 2023
I liked the illustrations of this graphic novel but was at a loss with the story here and there. I'm aware that I'm lacking in knowledge when it comes to artists and maybe with a stronger background in the history of art I would have had a different experience. At some points I couldn't follow the events which was frustrating.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Europe Comics for this Advance Review Copy.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Europe Comics for this Advance Review Copy.
December 3, 2023
A truly fantastic look about Dali's early life and how he came into his own as an artist. The narrative is short but it allows its characters to become three dimensional. The illustrations are also amazing.
May 11, 2025
Part one of a biographical series that pretends that because Dali, Bunuel etc produced art like few humans around them ever did, they spoke like no humans – certainly not students – ever did. Really disappointingly unenjoyable.
December 21, 2023
Recommended.
Review posted at Tzer Island book blog:
https://www.tzerisland.com/bookblog/2...
Review posted at Tzer Island book blog:
https://www.tzerisland.com/bookblog/2...
January 9, 2024
J'attends la suite. ^^ Ce sont de beaux dessins avec un fond humoristique appréciable.
January 3, 2025
Garcia Lorca x Dalí c'est le plot twist de l'année
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2025
"Tous les grands amoureux sont séparés et ils en crèvent. Parce qu'ils n'ont pas su en faire des œuvres d'art."
July 7, 2025
La vida de Dalí antes de conocer a Gala. Con un tinte de humor y sátira te narra los inicios de Dali en España y luego París, con grandes personajes secundarios como Lorca, Buñuel, Picasso o Miró.
September 11, 2025
on Comprend pas grande chose mais il ya Lorca dedans donc c'est cool
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