Salvador Dali was a Spanish artist born in 1904 who helped pioneer surrealist art. He studied drawing in Spain before moving to Paris in 1922 where he was influenced by Picasso and joined the surrealist group. Dali is known for his surreal and abstract paintings that feature impossible images through illusions and hidden objects within bright, colorful scenes influenced by nature with strong lighting.

1. Artist’s ProjectSalvador DaliBy Grant Hou

2. Vital StatisticsBorn on May 11, 1904Died on January 23, 1989MaleOriginally from Spain, born in Catalonia, Spain

3. Key Personal EventsDali attended a drawing school in 1916. Helped Dali discover modern painting, while on a vacation with a local artist, who made regular trips to ParisIn 1922, Dali moved to Madrid and studied at the academia de San Fernando a school of fine arts, where he learned further, how to draw and paintDali was expelled from the Academia in 1926, stating that no one on the faculty was competent enough to examine him. That same year he made his first visit to Paris, where he met with Picasso. As he developed his own style over the next few years, Dali made number of works heavily influenced by PicassoIn 1929 he met his wife, Helena Diakanova, known as Gala, she was the image and model of some of his paintings, and managed his business affairs.

4. Key Historical EventsDali joined the surrealist group in the Montparnasse quarter in Paris. His work was greatly influenced by surrealismIn 1940 as World War II, Dali moved from Europe to the United States. World War II, Dali stayed in the USA for 8 years in which time, he had an exhibition of his artwork.

5. Stylistic Trait 1Surrealism/Abstract shapes and images- In many of Dali’s paintings he uses surrealism and abstract shapes to portray images in a different way, and a way that seems impossible

6. Stylistic Trait 2Nature- In many of Dali’s paintings there are objects that are drawn in blue skies or green fields

7. Stylistic Trait 3Illusions- In many of Dali’s pictures there is a very simple and obvious picture, but then at a closer look, one would be able to see another picture or another object hidden in the picture

8. Stylistic trait 4Bright color and lighting- In Dali’s pictures he always uses bright colors such as yellow, red, orange, white, blue. There is also bright lighting. Most of the time it’s natural such as sunshine

9. Thank You. Questions?