Salvador Dalí (1904-1989) was one of our greatest modern artists and an icon of surrealism. Dalí's fantastic expression in paintings, sculptures, films and writings helped to cement the identity of Surrealism. Drawing inspiration from Freud's psychoanalysis, Einstein's theory of relativity, impressionism and Renaissance painting, Dalí rendered symbolist, fantastical creatures and landscapes. Few artists have had such a peculiar universe as Salvador Dalí, where an imaginative mix of madness executed with technical perfection and precision reigns. His painting "The Persistence of Memory" from 1931 is one of the most famous works of art of all time. Dalí lived as he created - in constant movement, in search of immortality.
In Dalí's universe, the snail occupies an important place as it is intimately connected with Sigmund Freud, whom Dalí came to regard as his spiritual father. Dalí was surrounded by psychoanalytic influences and theories about the subconscious which were also incorporated into his art. Dalí longed to meet Freud and once sketched his head as snail-like, in the form of a spiral. When he finally met his idol, he was struck by a specific scene near Freud's house; on the saddle of a bicycle was a red hot water bottle on which a snail was crawling! Dalí was obsessed with snails, they were his fetish and a source of inspiration for his artistic oeuvre. Besides being one of his favorite dishes, he was fascinated by the natural geometry of their shells and the idea of duality: hard exterior and soft interior, just like the egg and the lobster. Dalí adds a surreal touch to the sculpture; paradoxically, the snail, universal symbol of the leisurely passage of time, has gained wings and is seen here riding fast on waves. An angel lands softly on its back and bestows the gift of swift movement. Acting as an intermediary between the real and imaginary worlds, this messenger triumphantly holds a crutch, another important Dalinian symbol. The snail's sluggish pace and heavy movement contrast with the angel's swift and graceful flight.
Size: Height 44 cm
Technique: Sculpture, lost wax
Material: Bronze
Edition: 350
Caster: Perseo, Switzerland
Year: Created by Dalí in 1977 and the first work in the series was cast in 1984.
Signed and numbered. Certificates from The Dalí Universe and Perseo accompany the sculpture.
Estimated delivery time 6-8 weeks.