Showcasing carefully curated, exemplary pieces from Magritte’s and Dali’s works, the latest exhibition of the Dalí Museum (St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.) pushes back the curtain to reveal what lies beyond the simple appearance of painted images. These two preeminent surrealists opened minds to an alternative view of the world, constantly challenging reality.
This first exhibition to examine the artists in a sole pairing provides an in-depth review of the common threads and creative divergences in their distinctive bodies of work from the late 1920s to the 1940s. During this frenetic and productive period, the two artists displayed works in the same Surrealist exhibitions and passionately explored the techniques and aesthetic points of view which contributed to their respective reputations as monumental figures in art history. Together, their work proposes a stirring challenge to the world of appearances and hints at the deep mystery of life.
Shortly after arriving in Paris In 1929, a young Salvador Dali met fellow surrealist Rene Magritte. A few months later, Magritte joined surrealist poet Paul Eluard and his wife Gala on a visit to Dali at his home in Cadaques. The sultry summer gathering proved auspicious in the parallel stories of Dali and the Avant-garde: Gala fell in love with Dali and remained with him in Cadaques, becoming his muse and chief promoter for the rest of her life. From that moment on, Magritte and Dali would remain aware of each other’s progress along the shared road toward building a new and disruptive art form, each firmly committed to implementing practices that generated fuller freedom of imagination. Their works during this period also shared several visual themes, which are explored throughout the exhibit.
Magritte & Dali takes viewers on a journey from the late 1920s to the early 1940s, the period when the two artists’ careers overlapped. Although both had very different approaches to their respective paintings, they were equally committed to implementing practices that challenged reality and generated fuller freedom of imagination and experience. Their works also employ several shared themes, which are explored throughout the exhibit. Magritte paintings on display include Le Baiser [The Kiss] (1938), La Magie noire [Black Magic] (1945), L’Oiseau de ciel [Sky Bird] 1966, Dieu n’est pas un saint [God Is No Saint] (ca. 1935-36).
![René Magritte [1898-1967], L'Ile au Trésor [Treasure Island], 1942. Oil on canvas. 60 x 80 cm; Inv. 10708, Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels. Copyright 2018 C. Herscovici / Artists Rights Society [ARS], New York. Photo Credit: Banque d'Images, ADAGP / Art Resource, NY](https://www.gelendergallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/rene-magritte-treasure-island.jpg)
René Magritte, L’Ile au Trésor [Treasure Island], 1942
In addition to viewing the 30+ works on display in the special exhibit, visitors are invited to contemplate (and photograph) an interactive “cloud room” and to capture images of themselves intermingled with surrealist icons & symbols.
“Rene Magritte is a quintessential figure in the surrealist movement, and we are proud to display the first exhibit solely pairing the most recognized Surrealists of our era,” said Dr. Hank Hine, Executive Director of The Dali.
Among other works, the exhibition features two paintings that are part of Gelender Gallery’s lithograph collection : La Magie noire [Black Magic], 1945 and L’Ile au Trésor [Treasure Island], 1942.
![René Magritte [1898-1967], La Magie noire [Black Magic], 1945. Oil on canvas. 79 x 59 cm; Inv. 10706, Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels. Copyright 2018 C. Herscovici / Artists Rights Society [ARS], New York. Photo Credit: Banque d'Images, ADAGP / Art Resource, NY](https://www.gelendergallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/rene-magritte-black-magic.jpg)
René Magritte, La Magie noire [Black Magic], 1945
Magritte & Dali is organized by The Dali Museum in partnership with The Magritte Museum (a part of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium) and is co-curated by Dr. William Jeffett, Chief Curator of Exhibitions at The Dali Museum, and Michel Draguet, General Director of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.
Following the presentation of Magritte & Dali at The Dali Museum, the exhibit will travel to the Magritte Museum in Brussels.
Learn more :
> The Dalí Museum
> Press Release
> Focus on Magritte’s L’Ile au Trésor :
> Focus on Magritte’s Magie Noire :
