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Dali Museum in Figueres

January 18, 2002

Dear Friends and Family,

Above the beach, in the center of town, there is s full-size statue of Salvador Dali. Near town, his house is a closed-for-the-winter museum. Many museums throughout the world show one or two or a few of his art pieces. But, if you want to overdose on Dali, you must go back over the hill from Cadaques to Figueres.

Dali was not a humble or shy man. He reportedly loved publicity and would go to extremes to have his face in newspapers and magazines. (He's the guy with the bug eyes and curly mustache - remember?) Even before he died about 20 years ago, Salvador Dali created a museum that was both a place for his art and a piece of art itself. I suppose this was to guarantee his place in art history - or at least in Spanish tourism. He succeeded. The Museum Dali is the second-most visited museum in Spain, behind only Madrid's Prado Museum.

Pictures can not do justice to the building because it's squeezed into the center of town on narrow streets. Even inside, Dali managed to fill some of the largest spaces with artwork - "installations" - that defy casual photography. You must visit.

That said, we will offer a gallery of some of the works at Museum Dali. You will notice that Dali did some weird stuff. He was, after all, the guy who gained famed by painting clock faces that melted over tabletops. But when all is said and done, his technical skills and his brilliant insight created works that are wonderful introductions to the Spanish art world.

Take care. Go to an art museum this week.

John and Marianne

This is the bottom part of the "installation" that is in the museum's inner courtyard. It's and old Cadillac with a great hood ornament. The unseen upper part is a rowboat with water dripping off. A good introduction to an unusual place.

This is one of Dali's classical works. I believe there is a variation that has the "melty clocks" for which Dali is famous instead of these drops.

This too is classic Dali. It's a portrait of his Spanish friend Picasso. I wonder, were they friends after the portrait too?

Speaking of friends, this is from a display of Dali's Christmas cards. Makes ours look a bit timid.

One of Dali's paintings of Cadaques, the town where we were staying. I like this. It does seem to capture the town.

Dali did a sculpture series of a dragon and an egg. Lots of meaning here but also indication of great technical skill.

Here is a Dali piece. Great meaning. I wonder what it means?

My favorite. At first glance, this series of paintings simply depict the rocks in the hills surrounding Cadaques and Port Lligat, Dali's home. The subject figures just appear.

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Created January 25, 2002

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This is the bottom part of the "installation" that is in the museum's inner courtyard. It's and old Cadillac with a great hood ornament. The unseen upper part is a rowboat with water dripping off. A good introduction to an unusual place.	This is one of Dali's classical works. I believe there is a variation that has the "melty clocks" for which Dali is famous instead of these drops.

This too is classic Dali. It's a portrait of his Spanish friend Picasso. I wonder, were they friends after the portrait too?	Speaking of friends, this is from a display of Dali's Christmas cards. Makes ours look a bit timid.

One of Dali's paintings of Cadaques, the town where we were staying. I like this. It does seem to capture the town.	Dali did a sculpture series of a dragon and an egg. Lots of meaning here but also indication of great technical skill.

Here is a Dali piece. Great meaning. I wonder what it means?	My favorite. At first glance, this series of paintings simply depict the rocks in the hills surrounding Cadaques and Port Lligat, Dali's home. The subject figures just appear.