Dalí Foundation Figueres

The three museums of the Dalí Foundation

The three museums managed by the Dalí Foundation are unique treasures that immerse you in the fascinating and eccentric world of Salvador Dalí, each offering a distinct perspective on his life and work. Here’s what you can expect from each location.

Some photos of the 3 museums of the Dalí Foundation

Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres

Why go?
This is the main museum dedicated to Salvador Dalí, located in his hometown of Figueres. The museum is a true dive into the painter’s imagination. Designed by Dalí himself, it is often described as a work of art in itself. It houses a vast collection of his paintings, sculptures, drawings, and surrealist installations, such as the famous "Mae West Room" and the Palace of the Wind Hall.
Unique experience: The Theatre-Museum is a full immersion into Dalí's mind, with works that defy logic and provoke thought. The visit is both playful and immersive, staying true to the artist’s quirky spirit.

Gala Dalí Castle in Púbol

Why go?
This castle, which Dalí gifted to his muse and wife, Gala, is a place filled with romance and mystery. The Gala Dalí Castle in Púbol is located in a peaceful village and reflects the special relationship between Dalí and Gala. The interior, decorated by the artist, showcases his love for Gothic architecture, and you’ll find a more intimate and personal atmosphere here.
Unique experience: You can see paintings, furniture, and personal objects, as well as drawings that Dalí created especially for Gala. This castle is also her final resting place. Visiting Púbol reveals a more romantic and mysterious side of the artist.

Salvador Dalí House in Portlligat

Why go?

This small fisherman's house, where Dalí lived and worked for many years, is nestled in a spectacular natural setting in Portlligat, a ten-minute walk from the center of Cadaqués. It is here that Dalí spent most of his life and created some of his most famous works.
Unique experience: The interior of the house has remained almost intact since Dalí's departure. You’ll discover his workshop, personal objects, and amazing living spaces, like a pool, arranged eccentrically, just like his art. The house, bordered by the sea, offers a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean landscape that so deeply inspired the artist.

Life and artistic work of Salvador Dalí

Salvador Dalí (1904-1989) is one of the most famous and eccentric artists of the 20th century, primarily associated with the Surrealist movement. His prolific work and flamboyant personality made him a major figure in modern art. Here’s an overview of his life and artistic work:

Childhood and youth: The beginnings of a prodigy

Dalí was born in Figueres, Costa Dorada, Catalonia, a region he remained deeply attached to throughout his life. A precocious child, he showed an exceptional talent for drawing at an early age. At 17, he entered the Academy of Fine Arts in Madrid, where he stood out for his unconventional style and character. Strongly influenced by the great masters like Velázquez and Goya, he quickly developed a rigorous academic technique that he would later deconstruct in his works.

Meeting Surrealism: The Surrealist period

In the 1920s, Dalí moved to Paris and joined the Surrealist movement led by André Breton. This movement advocated exploring the unconscious, dreams, and repressed desires, influenced by Sigmund Freud’s theories.

With his overflowing imagination and strange visions, Dalí quickly established himself as one of the leading Surrealist artists. It was during this period that he created some of his most iconic works, like "The Persistence of Memory" (1931), famous for its melting clocks and dreamlike landscape. This painting perfectly embodies the Surrealist aesthetic: the dream, the distortion of time and space, and the exploration of the unconscious mind.

Themes and artistic styles: A surreal universe

Dalí’s style is recognizable for its incredible technical precision, combined with hallucinatory and disconcerting subjects. Some of his favorite themes include:

Dreams and the unconscious: Inspired by Freud, Dalí used images from his dreams and subconscious, often strange and distorted.
Time and memory: The idea of time, symbolized by the melting clocks, is omnipresent in his work, reflecting the fluidity and relativity of human time.
Eroticism and desire: Many works explore the theme of sexual desire and his relationship with his wife and muse, Gala, who played a central role in his life and work.
Religion and science: Towards the end of his career, Dalí integrated mystical and religious elements into his art, as well as references to physics, notably the theory of relativity and molecular structures, as seen in "Corpus Hypercubus" (1954).

His relationship with Gala: Muse and companion

Dalí’s love for Gala, born Elena Ivanovna Diakonova (1894-1982), a Russian woman ten years his senior, is legendary. Initially married to Paul Éluard, she became Dalí's muse in 1929 as she was to the Surrealists. She became his source of inspiration and managed his career with a firm hand. Their close relationship is reflected in many of the artist’s works, where she is depicted as a divine and mysterious figure. Gala influenced not only Dalí’s personal life but also his creative process, playing the role of mentor and manager.

Eccentricity and self-promotion

Dalí was as famous for his eccentric manners as for his art. With his finely curled mustache and provocative statements, he cultivated the image of a mad genius, mastering the art of self-promotion. He participated in artistic performances, collaborated with cinema (notably with Luis Buñuel in films like "Un Chien Andalou" and "L'Âge d'Or"), and designed theater sets and costumes. This theatrical dimension of his life is reflected in the creation of the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres, where he is buried.

Major works and contributions

Dalí left behind a monumental body of work, spanning various mediums and styles:

Painting: His surrealist canvases, such as "The Temptation of Saint Anthony" (1946), "The Great Masturbator" (1929), or "The Perpignan Train Station" (1965).
Cinema and photography: He collaborated with directors such as Alfred Hitchcock for dream sequences in "Spellbound" (1945).
Sculpture and design: Dalí created surrealist objects, like the famous Mae West Sofa, and collaborated with brands such as Lobmeyr for unexpected creations.

Final years: Religion and a return to tradition

In his later decades, Dalí turned to more religious and scientific subjects. Influenced by Catholic mysticism and quantum physics, he combined faith and science in his works, seeking to unravel the mysteries of the universe. His works from this period are often monumental, like "The Sacrament of the Last Supper" (1955), which combines classicism and mysticism.

Legacy and influence

Salvador Dalí died in 1989 in Figueres, leaving behind an immense artistic legacy. His influence can be felt in fields as diverse as fashion, cinema, and illustration. His work continues to fascinate with its dreamlike, eccentric, and deeply personal qualities.

Visiting the 3 Dalí museums

Here is all the practical information about the three museums managed by the Gala-Salvador Dalí Foundation:

Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres

Address: Plaça Gala i Salvador Dalí, 5, 17600 Figueres, Girona, Spain
Hours: Opening hours vary by season. It is recommended to check the official website for the day's hours. Generally, the museum is open from 9:30 AM to 6 PM in low season, and until 8 PM in high season.
Tickets: Tickets can be purchased online in advance to avoid queues on the official website.

Gala Dalí Castle in Púbol

Address: Gala Dalí Castle, Plaza Gala Dalí, s/n, 17120 Púbol, La Pera, Girona, Spain
Hours: Also varies by season, but generally open from 10 AM to 6 PM in low season, and until 7 PM in high season.
Tickets: It is recommended to buy tickets in advance online.

Salvador Dalí House in Portlligat

Address: Casa-Museu Salvador Dalí, Platja de Portlligat, 17488 Cadaqués, Girona, Spain

Hours: The house is generally open from 10:30 AM to 6 PM. However, entry is by reservation only due to the small size of the house and the limited number of visitors per time slot.
Reservation: Advance reservation is mandatory. It is highly recommended to book early, especially for the Portlligat House, where places are very limited.

Official website of the Gala-Salvador Dalí Foundation: The Dalí Foundation

The Dalí Foundation on a map of Figueres