The Persistence of Memory (1931) is one of Salvador Dalí's most famous paintings and the supreme symbol of Surrealism. The scene is set in a deserted, silent landscape inspired by the rocky coasts of Catalonia, where time seems to have liquefied. The soft watches, distorted and limp, mould themselves to the surfaces they rest on: a branch, a block of stone, a shapeless body in the centre of the composition.
In contrast, a single closed watch is besieged by ants, a symbol of decay and unease. The atmosphere is suspended, as in a dream in which logic and physics no longer apply. Dalí turns the concept of time into a psychological experience: what is rigid becomes unstable, and what should flow seems to have stopped. The work reflects the relationship between memory, the unconscious and perception, inviting the viewer to look beyond reality to discover the absurd that lies hidden in everyday life.
Unique quality material
Print on handmade Amalfi paper Sheet size: 29 x 42 cm (11.4 x 16.5 in) With frame: 31 x 44 cm (12.2 x 17.3 in) Material: artwork printed on very fine handmade Amalfi paper with deckled edges Frame: light brown beech wood and wood pulp, handmade
How an Amalfi art print is made, what the frame is like, what museum glass is, how long shipping takes, and how returns work: we’ve gathered all the answers on a single page.
