Customer Reviews

Salvador Dali: Exploring the Irrational (Great Masters of Art) (Spanish Edition)

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

First, I am obliged to say that the above review by Chimera is inaccurate. This book does reproduce an illustration by Chagall, but it is clearly labeled and attributed to Chagall with a paragraph upholding Chagall as the thematic antithesis to Dali. I'm a librarian and have placed this book in our collection. It represents a good value in that it has quality full-color reproductions of 100 of Dali's works and provides excellent, readable commentary on each work and on the phases of Dali's long career. I would reserve a fifth star for a higher quality coffee-table style book from Phaidon or Abrams, but this book is a very fine introduction to Dali for a very nice price.

Nobody could ever accuse Dali of good taste, but that is what the greatest art is all about. He was weird, he was shocking, he was clever and he certainly knew how to get noticed. Here, he is celebrated in all his controversial glory.

Learn about his early life, influences and family. Get to know about his marriage to Gala and, of course, marvel at his masterful but disturbing paintings. Observe how his works gradually transformed from still lives to surreal reinterpretations of Renaissance art throughout the course of his life. And see how he tried to tackle his own insecurities and doubts in his art.

My only real gripe is Swinglehurst's overly critical selection of works he chose to display. Granted, Dali's overall collection would span several books, but I feel some noteworthy pieces were left out.

Great stuff, and a fine introduction to the life and art of Dali.

One cannot take seriously an author who -- incredibly -- reproduces a work by CHAGALL and attributes it to Dali! That's exactly what occurred in this book. No more needs to be said; pass this one by. Or buy it as a curiosity??