Famous surrealist painter Salvador Dali was born in 1904 in Figueres, Spain. Dali was encouraged to explore his artistic talents from an early age. He received formal training at the Academia de San Fernando in Madrid where he quickly gained attention from his classmates for his Cubist work. Dali was expelled from the Academia for behavioral issues and moved to Paris, where he quickly befriended Picasso, Magritte, and Miro. His new acquaintances led Dali to his Surrealist phase.

Though inspired by classic artists like Raphael, Bronzino, Vermeer, and Velazquez (Dali’s trademark mustache was influenced by Velazquez), Dali is best known for his surrealist work. In 1931, Dali painted “The Persistence of Memory,” his most famous piece, which featured the motif of the melting clock, which can be found in many of his works.

Dalí was highly imaginative, and also enjoyed indulging in unusual and grandiose behavior. His eccentric manner and attention-grabbing public actions sometimes drew more attention than his artwork, to the dismay of those who held his work in high esteem, and to the irritation of his critics