July 6–December 1, 2024

Dalí: Disruption and Devotion

Included with General Admission

The outlandish and iconoclastic artist Salvador Dalí (1904–1989) is famous for his bizarre imagery and distinctive Surrealist vision. He was, however, also deeply rooted in tradition. Dalí studied, emulated, and indeed revered his European predecessors from centuries past, embracing influences from Spain, the Low Countries, and Italy throughout his long career.

“Dalí: Disruption and Devotion” juxtaposes nearly 30 paintings and prints on loan from the Salvador Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, with European masterpieces from the MFA’s collection, including portraits, religious scenes, and still-lifes by El Greco, Orazio Gentileschi, and Velázquez, among others. In addition to these illuminating pairings, the exhibition features some of Dalí’s best-known works, such as Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory (1952–54). Other examples reveal optical illusions and double images—hallmarks of Surrealism—while the monumental Ecumenical Council (1960) highlights Dalí’s technical mastery. By seeing him in dialogue with great painters and printmakers who came before him, visitors can experience a unique take on one of the most celebrated avant-garde artists of the 20th century.

Lois B. and Michael K. Torf Gallery (Gallery 184)

A surrealist painting of floating fish, melted clocks, broken tree branches, bullet-like objects, and a mountain range.

A green sky, negative space, and figures such as people, faces, trees, and a brick wall create three faces of different ages.

Many figures—humans and animals—wear white garments and swirl in the sky above a mountain and lake, including the artist Dalí himself who paints at a blank easel.

A painting of Maria Theresa, the daughter of Spain's King Philip IV, in a voluminous white dress and adorned hair.

A phantom-like figure of a young girl lingers in a hallway above the dark figure of a painter.

In the foreground, a group of grapes, a spoon in a glass, and a gold object sit atop a table covered in a scrunched white tablecloth; the background is dotted with small women and stone structures.

Fruit, glassware, a bird, a knife, and serving platters float above a table covered in white and red tablecloths, sitting on a patio overlooking the sea.

A building at sunset has a large carrot affixed to its side; two eggs on a plate sit on the building white one egg hangs above the plate from a string.

A landscape of large jagged boulders sitting in a sandy desert.

A surrealist painting of floating fish, melted clocks, broken tree branches, bullet-like objects, and a mountain range.

Salvador Dalí, The Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory, 1952–54

Oil on canvas. Collection of the Dalí Museum. Gift of A. Reynolds and Eleanor Morse. © 2024 Salvador Dalí, Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí, Artists Rights Society.

A green sky, negative space, and figures such as people, faces, trees, and a brick wall create three faces of different ages.

Salvador Dalí, Old Age, Adolescence, Infancy (The Three Ages), 1940

Oil on canvas. Collection of The Dalí Museum. Gift of A. Reynolds and Eleanor Morse. © 2024 Salvador Dalí, Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí, Artists Rights Society.

Many figures—humans and animals—wear white garments and swirl in the sky above a mountain and lake, including the artist Dalí himself who paints at a blank easel.

Salvador Dalí, The Ecumenical Council, 1960

Oil on canvas. Collection of The Dalí Museum. Gift of A. Reynolds and Eleanor Morse. © 2024 Salvador Dalí, Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí, Artists Rights Society. Photo © David Deranian, 2021.

A painting of Maria Theresa, the daughter of Spain's King Philip IV, in a voluminous white dress and adorned hair.

Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez and workshop, Infanta Maria Theresa, 1653

Oil on canvas. Gift of Charlotte Nichols Greene in memory of her father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Nichols.

A phantom-like figure of a young girl lingers in a hallway above the dark figure of a painter.

Salvador Dalí, Velázquez Painting the Infanta Marguerita with the Lights and Shadows of His Own Glory, 1958

Oil on canvas. Collection of The Dalí Museum. Gift of A. Reynolds and Eleanor Morse. © 2024 Salvador Dalí, Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí, Artists Rights Society.

In the foreground, a group of grapes, a spoon in a glass, and a gold object sit atop a table covered in a scrunched white tablecloth; the background is dotted with small women and stone structures.

Salvador Dalí, Morphological Echo, 1936

Oil on wood panel. Collection of The Dalí Museum. Gift of A. Reynolds and Eleanor Morse. © 2024 Salvador Dalí, Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí, Artists Rights Society.

Fruit, glassware, a bird, a knife, and serving platters float above a table covered in white and red tablecloths, sitting on a patio overlooking the sea.

Salvador Dalí, Nature Morte Vivante (Still Life-Fast Moving), 1956

Oil on canvas. Collection of The Dalí Museum. Gift of A. Reynolds and Eleanor Morse. © 2024 Salvador Dalí, Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí, Artists Rights Society. Photo © Daniel Portnoy, 2023.

A building at sunset has a large carrot affixed to its side; two eggs on a plate sit on the building white one egg hangs above the plate from a string.

Salvador Dalí, Oeufs sur le Plat sans le Plat (Eggs on the plate without the plate), 1932

Oil on canvas. Collection of The Dalí Museum. Gift of A. Reynolds and Eleanor Morse. © 2024 Salvador Dalí, Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí, Artists Rights Society. Photo © David Deranian, 2021.

A landscape of large jagged boulders sitting in a sandy desert.

Salvador Dalí, Shades of Night Descending, 1931

Oil on canvas. Collection of The Dalí Museum. Gift of A. Reynolds and Eleanor Morse. © 2024 Salvador Dalí, Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí, Artists Rights Society.

Videos

Dalí: Outlandish and Reverential

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In the News

The Boston Globe (7/3/24): "MFA’s first exhibition of Salvador Dali unveils his hidden depths"

Boston Home (8/30/24): "Fall Arts Events in Boston: Salvador Dalí & Manet"

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