The Art of Seeing

Who is Salvador Dali?

Meet a Spanish artist who turned dreams, memories and ordinary objects into surprising surrealist paintings, sculptures, films and designs.

Salvador Dalí was born in Figueres, Catalonia, Spain, in 1904. He became one of the best-known artists associated with Surrealism, an international movement that explored dreams, chance and the unconscious.

Dalí was technically skilled and carefully cultivated an eccentric public image. But Surrealism was shaped by many artists—not Dalí alone—and learning about the movement means looking beyond the famous moustache and melting clocks.

Videos to Watch

Begin with Dalí’s life and art, then widen the view to the bigger Surrealist movement.

Read Aloud

Share two illustrated stories that connect Dalí’s childhood imagination with the dreamlike art he later made.

Extra Resources

Use ordinary objects as raw material for an artwork that could not exist in the everyday world.

Down the Rabbit Hole

Follow Surrealism beyond melting clocks into games, dreams, film, sculpture and the work of many different artists.

Carry on the wonder

Take this topic further with our beautifully illustrated printable lesson, made for exploring together at home.

Who Was Salvador Dalí? Wonder Companion Journal
The Art of Seeing

Who Was Salvador Dalí?

Look beyond ordinary reality and create art from dreams, chance and unexpected connections.

£6.99

View the lesson

The Wonder of the Week

Every Sunday we release a new wonder-led lesson: one big question for your family to explore together at home. Here’s this week’s.

The first movies, zoetrope, horse-picture strip and vintage film camera in a warmly lit room.
Digital Download

The First Movies

Follow the wonder of moving pictures, meet early cinema pioneers and begin a small film story of your own.

£6.99

View the lesson

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