Dali

by Eric Shanes

      As a one of the foremost painters of the 20th century, Dalí, like Picasso and Warhol, can boast of having overturned the art of the previous century and directed contemporary art toward its present incarnation. As irrational as he was surrealist, this genius diverted objects from their original meanings, plunging them into the acid of his constantly churning imagination. A megalomaniac and an artist who above all understood the force of marketing and publicity, Dalí disorients the viewer in order to draw him into the artist’s world. On his canvases, images and colours crash together to express and mock certain ideas, creating a subversive eroticism that taps into the subconscious of the avid voyeurs that we are. The author, Eric Shanes, explores the twists and turns of Dalí’s mad genius, commenting on the masterpieces of the painter so as to show the diversity and scope of his talent, leaving the reader blown away and bewitched by this Prince of Metamorphosis. This work opens up the sweet, mad universe of this megalomaniac genius and invites us to let ourselves be overcome … Dalí is, first and foremost, an absolute.  

Genres: Art

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Eric Shanes was a professional painter, independent art historian, and lecturer who was a leading expert on Turner. The vice president of the Turner Society, he authored many books on the artist.

Reviews

[?0?0?0 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eric Shanes falls victim to several of the criticisms he lodges against Dali, not that he is incorrect, but his lack of more advanced considerations for these works is the only complaint I have with his "Dali" collection.

[Lo Inquieto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libro cortito pero muy bueno para conocer sobre los hitos de la vida de Dalí. Es un libro más documental y de datos, fechas y acontecimientos.

[Ed Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick introduction to Dalí

This is a brief overview of the artist's life and works. A good book to start with as you explore this unique figure from recent history.