Born on May 11, 1904, in Figueres, Spain, Salvador Dalí was one of the most influential and eccentric artists of the 20th century. Encouraged by his parents, he began painting at a young age and later studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Madrid, where he was inspired by cubism, dadaism, and eventually surrealism.

Dalí became known for his dreamlike imagery and bizarre forms, with The Persistence of Memory (1931)—featuring melting clocks—standing as a symbol of his iconic style. His bold personality and theatrical flair made him as famous as his work, leading to collaborations with figures like Luis Buñuel and Alfred Hitchcock.

Dalí’s influence reached beyond painting into film, fashion, and design. He passed away in 1989 in his hometown, but his artistic legacy lives on—especially through exhibitions like Dalí Cybernetics at Site Oud Sint-Jan, where his visionary world comes to life.