A Surreal Pairing: Magritte and Dalí, this December at The Dalí
Two Iconic Artists at the Heart of a Movement
ST.PETERSBURG, Fla. (August 27, 2018) – Opening at The Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, FL on December 15, Magritte and Dalí is a first-of-its-kind special exhibition dedicated to the world’s two most celebrated surrealists, René Magritte and Salvador Dalí. The exhibit runs through May 19, 2019.
This first exhibition to examine the artists in a sole pairing provides an in-depth review of the common threads and creative divergences in their distinctive bodies of work from the late 1920s to the 1940s. During this frenetic and productive period, the two artists displayed works in the same Surrealist exhibitions and passionately explored the techniques and aesthetic points of view which contributed to their respective reputations as monumental figures in art history. Together, their work proposes a stirring challenge to the world of appearances and hints at the deep mystery of life.
Shortly after arriving in Paris In 1929, a young Salvador Dalí met fellow surrealist René Magritte. A few months later, Magritte joined surrealist poet Paul Éluard and his wife Gala on a visit to Dalí at his home in Cadaqués. The sultry summer gathering proved auspicious in the parallel stories of Dalí and the Avant-garde: Gala fell in love with Dalí and remained with him in Cadaqués, becoming his muse and chief promoter for the rest of her life. From that moment on, Magritte and Dalí would remain aware of each other’s progress along the shared road toward building a new and disruptive art form, each firmly committed to implementing practices that generated fuller freedom of imagination. Their works during this period also shared several visual themes, which are explored throughout the exhibit.
“René Magritte is a quintessential figure in the surrealist movement and is celebrated around the globe. We are proud to provide the first and only opportunity to see his and Dalí’s works displayed solely together in the U.S.” said Dr. Hank Hine, Executive Director of The Dalí. “This special exhibition continues our dedication to providing our community and the world at large with the essential visual works of our era.”
Showcasing carefully curated, exemplary pieces from Magritte’s and Dalí’s distinctive bodies of work, Magritte and Dali pushes back the curtain to reveal what lies beyond the simple appearance of painted images. The two preeminent surrealists opened the mind to an alternative view of the world, constantly challenging reality. Following its presentation at The Dalí Museum, Magritte and Dalí will travel to the Magritte Museum in Brussels.
“Magritte and Dalí” is organized by The Dalí Museum in partnership with The Magritte Museum (a part of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium) and is 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.
IMAGES
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CURRENTLY AT THE DALÍ
Clyde Butcher: Visions of Dalí’s Spain
The popular “Clyde Butcher: Visions of Dalí’s Spain” exhibition continues now through November 25. “Visions of Dalí’s Spain” provides an immersive view of Dalí’s surroundings as seen by Florida’s greatest nature photographer, Clyde Butcher. Known as the “Ansel Adams of the Florida landscape,” Butcher’s photographs are technically brilliant; their large format creating a euphoric viewing experience. The thoughtfully curated collection features 41 photos that take viewers on a journey through the Catalonian region, with beautifully printed photographs ranging from an intimate 2 feet to a panoramic 8 feet in width. The exhibit is Butcher’s first photographic exhibition of Spain, as well as the first time he has been commissioned to photograph an area that influenced another artist.
On September 8 at 1 PM, Clyde Butcher will attend a free-to-the-public book signing event at The Dalí Museum inside the Raymond James Community Room. For more information, visit the event page here.
On September 18, Clyde Butcher will deliver a talk on the exhibition Clyde Butcher: Visions of Dalí’s Spain. Tickets for the event are $25 general, $20 for Dalí Museum members. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the event page here.
“Clyde Butcher: Visions of Dalí’s Spain” is co-organized by The Dalí Museum, Clyde Butcher and his family. The exhibition is curated for The Dalí by Dalí Museum Curator of Education, Peter Tush.
Watercolors & Drawings
Currently on display for a limited-time is a rarely-seen collection of 25 Salvador Dalí drawings and watercolors from The Museum’s vault. The Dalí Museum owns over 150 drawings and watercolors, which periodically rotate within the permanent collection to provide visitors with a continuing retrospective of the surrealist master’s works. This curated selection displays works ranging from 1917 to 1968, highlighting Dalí’s superior ability to draw in a variety of techniques. The drawings and watercolors will be displayed through March of 2019.
ABOUT THE DALÍ
The Dalí Museum, located in the heart of beautiful downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, is home to an unparalleled collection of Salvador Dalí art, featuring more than 2,000 works comprising nearly 100 oil paintings; over 100 watercolors and drawings; and 1,300 prints, photographs, sculptures and objets d’art.
The building is itself a work of art, featuring 1,062 triangular-shaped glass panels – the only structure of its kind in North America. Nicknamed The Enigma, it provides an unprecedented view of St. Petersburg’s picturesque waterfront. The Museum has attracted the world’s attention, and among the other distinguished awards it has received, it is the first and only museum in the Southeastern United States to be recognized internationally by the Michelin Guide with a three-star rating.
The Dalí Museum is located at One Dalí Boulevard, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701. For additional information contact 727.823.3767 or visit TheDali.org.