Portrait of Dali with cloudscape in place of eyes with the caption, “See what they see”.

Magritte & Dalí

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December 15, 2018 – May 19, 2019

Magritte & Dalí was a first-of-its-kind special exhibition dedicated to the world’s two most celebrated surrealists: René Magritte and Salvador Dalí.

Showcasing carefully curated, exemplary pieces from Magritte’s and Dalí’s works, the exhibit pushed back the curtain to reveal what lies beyond the simple appearance of painted images. These two preeminent surrealists opened minds to an alternative view of the world, constantly challenging reality. In addition to viewing the 30+ works on display in the special exhibit, visitors were invited to contemplate (and photograph) an interactive “cloud room” and to capture images of themselves intermingled with surrealist icons & symbols.

Magritte & Dalí took viewers on a journey from the late 1920s to the early 1940s, the period when the two artists’ careers overlapped. Although both had very different approaches to their respective paintings, they were equally committed to implementing practices that challenged reality and generated fuller freedom of imagination and experience. Their works also employ several shared themes, which were explored throughout the exhibit. Magritte paintings on display include Le Baiser [The Kiss] (1938), La Magie noire [Black Magic] (1945) L’Oiseau de ciel [Sky Bird] 1966, Dieu n’est pas un saint [God Is No Saint] (ca. 1935-36).

“René Magritte is a quintessential figure in the surrealist movement, and we are proud to display the first exhibit solely pairing the most recognized Surrealists of our era,” said Dr. Hank Hine, Executive Director of The Dalí.

The exhibition was organized by The Dalí Museum in partnership with The Magritte Museum (a part of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium) and was co-curated by Dr. William Jeffett, Chief Curator of Exhibitions at The Dalí Museum and Michel Draguet, General Director of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.

Following the presentation of Magritte & Dalí at The Dalí Museum, the exhibit traveled to the Magritte Museum in Brussels.

Presented by

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