1904-1989. Spanish painter. In 1928 he 
collaborated with Bunuel on the film Un chien 
andalou. In 1929 he joined the Surrealists 
and became notorious for his flamboyant 
eccentricity. Influenced by the 
psycho-analytic theories of Freud, he 
developed a repertoire of dramatic images, 
such as the distorted human body, limp 
watches, and burning giraffes such as The 
Persistence of Memory 1931 (Museum of
Modern Art, New York). They are painted with
a meticulous, polished clarity. He also had
religious themes and created many portraits
of his wife Gala. Dali, born near Barcelona,
initially came under the influence of the
Italian Futurists. He is credited as
co-creator of Un chien andalou, but his role
is thought to have been subordinate; he
abandoned film after collaborating on the
script for Bunuel's L'Age d'or 1930. He
designed ballet costumes, scenery, jewellery,
and furniture. The books Secret Life of
Salvador Dali 1942 and Diary of a Genius 1966
are autobiographical. He was buried beneath a
crystal dome in the museum of his work at
Figueras on the Costa Brava, Spain.