The Dalí Theatre-Museum: A Surrealist Masterpiece at 50
Fifty years ago, the Dalí Theatre-Museum opened its doors in Figueres, Spain, marking the culmination of Salvador Dalí's ambitious project: a museum dedicated to his own artistic genius. This wasn't just any museum; it was a Gesamtkunstwerk, a total work of art, meticulously designed and curated by Dalí himself, offering visitors a truly Dalinian experience – a journey, as its director Fèlix Roca puts it, "inside the artist's brain."
By Richard Walker
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Since its opening on September 28, 1974, the museum, with its striking burgundy-red exterior adorned with bread rolls and giant eggs, has captivated over 35 million visitors – a remarkable feat considering Figueres' population of just 48,000. Recently, the museum celebrated its 50th anniversary with a ceremony attended by the King of Spain, highlighting its enduring appeal and impact. The museum's chaotic, dreamlike interior is a testament to Dalí's surrealist vision. Iconic pieces like the Rainy Taxi and Face of Mae West, Which Can Be Used as an Apartment, are just a few examples of the mind-bending installations that await visitors. Three-quarters of the museum's current layout remains as Dalí intended, with notable additions like the 2001 annex showcasing the artist's jewelry designs. Even Dalí's crypt, surprisingly modest compared to the rest of the museum, is open to visitors, located beneath the old theatre stage.
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The Dalí Theatre-Museum is one of three sites managed by the Gala-Salvador Dalí Foundation, a non-profit organization established by Dalí in 1983 to preserve and promote his artistic legacy. The foundation also oversees the Salvador Dalí House in Portlligat and Gala Dalí Castle in Púbol, both posthumously converted into museums. This commitment to preserving Dalí's vision extends to the meticulous cataloging and authentication of his works, a crucial aspect of the foundation's work.
The foundation's financial independence, largely driven by ticket sales and licensing, allows for creative freedom. The successful year of 2023, with a profit of €7.3 million, is a testament to this model and the enduring popularity of Dalí's work. This success is further bolstered by the widespread popularity of the Dalí Theatre-Museum itself (the seventh most popular art museum in Spain in 2023) and the touring immersive exhibitions showcasing his art worldwide.
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The recent acquisition of Dalí's The Birth of Liquid Anguish for £1,976,000 underscores the foundation's commitment to enriching its collection and maintaining its international reach. This acquisition, along with the ongoing maintenance of three sites, is made possible by its financial success, reflecting the enduring global fascination with the surrealist genius of Salvador Dalí and his lasting legacy. The Dalí Theatre-Museum stands as a powerful testament to an artist who not only created art but also designed his own immortality.