Dalí Museum in Figueres

El Dalí Museum in Figueres It is, curiously, one of the most visited in all Spain. It is not common for these types of spaces, dedicated to a single artist, to have so many visitors. However, the eccentric figure of Salvador Dalí and the genius of his works have won him admirers all over the world.

Together with Reina Sofía Museum of Madrid, houses the largest collection of works by the Catalan artist on the planet. It is managed by Gala-Salvador Dalí Foundation, which, in addition, has been increasing its pictorial background. But not only the content is interesting in this place, also the building that serves as its headquarters is a gem. Next, we are going to tell you everything you need to know about the Dalí Museum in Figueres.

The figure of Salvador Dalí

It won't hurt that, as a first step, we remember the importance of Dalí in 1904th century Spanish art. Born in Figueres in XNUMX and from a wealthy family, he trained in Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando and then complement his education with several stays in Paris.

Already in his youth, he left signs of his controversial and rebellious character, being expelled from several institutions. But there is a milestone in his artistic career. It is about his contact with the surrealists that he led. André Breton. Dalí would make it his definitive ideology and aesthetic. Although he later added certain mystical features to it, the Surrealism would preside over all his subsequent creation.

It is mainly pictorial, although it also addressed other artistic disciplines such as literature, jewelry design and even set design. But above all, along with her paintings, she has left us unique sculptural works that are based on the movement called "found art" o "ready made". It consists of taking objects from everyday life and transforming them into an artistic creation. A good example of him is the famous rainy cadillac which you can see in the Dalí Museum in Figueres.

The Dalí Museum building in Figueres

As we told you, the building itself that houses the museum is an artistic jewel. It was built between 1848 and 1850 by the architect joseph roca and is cataloged within the inventory of the Architectural Heritage of Catalonia. Originally, it showed neoclassical features that it still preserves. But, already in the XNUMXth century and to convert it into a museum, different parts were added that have nothing to do with this style.

In these successive extensions the always original hand of the artist was very present. For example, he asked for geodesic dome which the architect would later develop Emilio Pérez Piñero and under which he is buried. Likewise, the museum was added Galatea Tower, which belonged to the old medieval walls of the town. Renovated in reddish tones and with enormous ovals on its roof, it forms one of the most peculiar elements of the construction. Not in vain, by itself, is A Cultural 1988 since.

Brief history of the museum

Although Dalí had been thinking for many years about creating a museum dedicated to his work in the town where he was born, the project would not come to fruition until 1968. That was when work began. But the official inauguration of the center took place on September 28, 1974. And, as it could not be otherwise, Dalí's eccentricity led to it being a unique event. Was majorettes, musicians and even an elephant. Then, the artist arrived accompanied by Gala in her convertible Cadillac.

Since then, the installation became the darling of the brilliant painter. She made changes, introduced extensions and even created works exclusively for her. Likewise, after his death, the foundation in charge of ensuring his legacy would continue with this mission.

What is the Dalí Museum in Figueres like?

The first thing we must tell you is that this facility houses works of art of all kinds. In good logic, there are paintings of the singular creator, but also other examples of his genius. For example, drawings, prints, photographs, sculptures and even holograms and stereoscopies. This last name is given to a type of works that he greatly liked. It is the superposition of two images seen from different points. When you look at them, the brain adds them up, giving the sensation of depth.

In turn, the museum is made up of three installations or museum spaces. The first is the one that occupies the old municipal theater and is defined as a single artistic ensemble in which each of its pieces are part of the whole. It was the one in which the artist intervened the most. For its part, the second is the result of the aforementioned enlargements and Dalí's hand was not so present. It shows numerous works by the brilliant creator that include all the artistic disciplines that he cultivated.

Finally, the third space offers you the exhibition Dali Jewelry, which opened in 2001. These are 39 pieces of jewelry in gold and precious stones designed by the artist for the Owen Cheatham collection, to which are added two others and the sketches he made to create them.

The works of Dalí that you can see in the museum belong to all the creative stages of his work. Some belong to his initial period, influenced by currents such as Futurism, Cubism or Impressionism. But the majority are enrolled in their stage of maturity, fully surreal. Among these creations are those titled Port Alghero, The spectrum of sex appeal, Self-portrait with L'Humanité, Soft self-portrait with grilled bacon, Galarina, Atomic leda o The bread basket.

Likewise, the installation has other works by the brilliant artist that are authentic monumental installations. As we told you, they were created especially for the center by Dalí and, among them, you should pay attention to the Mae West and Palace of the Wind rooms, monument to Francesc Pujols and the already mentioned rainy cadillac.

Finally, works by other artists that belonged to the eccentric creator's personal collection are exhibited at the Dalí Museum in Figueres. So, you can see pieces of El Greek, Marcel Duchamp, Mariano Fortuny, Modest Urgell o Gerard Dou. And also the only two painters he invited to exhibit in his museum: Evarist Valles y Antoni Pitxot.

Museum location and how to get there

The museum is located in the heart of this town in the province of Gerona. Specifically, its address is Plaza Gala-Salvador Dalí, number 5. However, the exit from the installation is on María Ángeles Vayreda Street. As for how to get to Figueres, you can do it by train. You have a railway line from both Barcelona as from Cervera in Lérida and even from perpignan in France.

You can also travel by road. If you travel from Barcelona, ​​you have to take the highway AP 7. On the other hand, if you come from France, you have to take the AP 9 and then continue along the AP-7 itself. You can do this journey in your own vehicle, but you also have bus lines. As for parking, you have both free and paid parking in Figueres.

Regarding the opening times, are different depending on the time of year. You can visit it from Tuesday to Sunday, as it is closed on Mondays. Between January 30 and June 10.30, it opens from 17.15:31 a.m. to 9.00:19.15 p.m. Meanwhile, between July 30 and August 9.30, it is from 17.15:31 a.m. to 10.30:17.15 p.m. From September XNUMXst until the XNUMXth of that month it changes again to be from XNUMX:XNUMX a.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m. Finally, from October XNUMXst to December XNUMXst the hours are from XNUMX:XNUMX a.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.

The set of Dalinian museums

Finally, we will tell you about the call dalinian triangle. This name is given to the complex that makes up the Dalí Museum in Figueres, the Gala-Dalí Castle of Púbol and Salvador Dali house from Portlligat. Concentrated in a space of approximately forty square kilometers, we advise you to visit the three centers to fully discover the genius of the Catalan artist.

Púbol Castle opened to the public in 1996 and is an old medieval construction that Dalí renovated taking his wife as inspiration. Gala, which was always his true muse. The result is a fine example of the artist's aesthetics, with false architectural elements, paintings on the walls, antiques and textile baroque style.

For its part, the Portlligat House-Museum It was Dalí's stable residence until 1982, when Gala's death caused him to move to Púbol. He bought it in 1930 when it was just a fishing hut. But, over the years, he expanded it until it became a residence that he defined as a biological structure. According to him, with each new stage of his life, they added a cell in the form of a room. The result has been a labyrinthine distribution, which starts from the so-called Bear Lobby to navigate winding corridors, slopes and dead-end spaces. And all decorated with the most varied objects that belonged to the artist. Both this place and the castle of Púbol are, equally, essential visits if you want to soak up the world created by the brilliant artist from Girona.

In conclusion, we have explained everything you need to know about the Dalí Museum in Figueres. We only have to advise you that you also see other monuments of this beautiful town such as the Castle of San Fernando or the gothic church of san pedro. Also, take advantage of your stay to discover the beautiful Gerona beaches. Come and discover this spectacular area of ​​our country.