Salvador Dalí's drawing, Soft Watch Exploding with blue background

Where Ideas Come From: Dalí’s Drawings

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May 27, 2023 – October 22, 2023

This exhibition brings together approximately 100 rarely seen works on paper from The Dalí Museum’s permanent collection. Spanning the entire length of Dalí’s creative life, from 1916 through 1974, the exhibition provides insight into the artist’s creative process as seen over a variety of media, including pencil, pen, charcoal, watercolor, gouache and more. Included in the exhibition are two new surrealist acquisitions by The Dalí Museum: the ballet-related portrait of King Ludwig for Bacchanale and the frontispiece The Disappearing Face, as well as many recently conserved works on view for the first time in over three decades, which are rarely displayed due to their delicate nature.

Organized chronologically from 1916 to 1974, the works in the exhibition are delineated into four distinct periods of the artist’s life: Early Period, Surrealism, Nuclear Mysticism, Classicism and Religion; and Late Period. Within these sections, various thematic groupings will feature studies for major oil paintings, portraits, experimental drawing techniques and commercial projects, including film.

The exhibition is organized by The Dalí and curated by Peter Tush, Senior Curator of Education at The Dalí Museum.

Check out The Drawing Room: Draw Like Dalí to view visitor creations from the interactive space.

This special exhibition is included in the price of general admission. To reserve your ticket for this exhibit, book your visit during the exhibit timeframe (May 27, 2023 – Oct 22, 2023). Tickets are typically available up to 30 days in advance.

Download the free Dalí Museum App to enjoy the audio tour, available in both English and Spanish.
See our calendar of events to discover programming inspired by this exhibition.

This exhibition contains nudity.


“…it is a beautiful experience to bear witness to Dalí’s paintings and masterworks—it was very special…to see his drawings in person.”

“It’s a rare and exciting glimpse into the mind and world of Dalí.”

“I developed a deeper understanding of Dalí through viewing early works. His self-portrait in pastel was beautiful.”


Thank you to our supporting sponsor Karen Lang Johnston.

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