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Who Was . . . ? Series
Who Was Salvador Dalí?
Learn about the fascinating career of surrealist Salvador Dalí from his early life in Spain through his public life as an internationally famous artist in this exciting addition to the #1 New York Times Best-Selling series.
Most famous for his surrealist painting The Persistence of Memory and its melting clocks, Salvador Dalí combined his dreamlike ideas with his excellent technical skills to become one of the most famous artists of the twentieth century. Beyond painting, Dalí pursued the arts in many other mediums including sculpture, film, fashion, photography, architecture, and more. He was friends with many of his famous contemporaries, including Picasso, Bunuel, Miro, and Duchamp. Learn about the sometimes-shy man with the instantly recognizable upturned mustache in this book for young readers that details the life of one of modern art's most celebrated figures.
Most famous for his surrealist painting The Persistence of Memory and its melting clocks, Salvador Dalí combined his dreamlike ideas with his excellent technical skills to become one of the most famous artists of the twentieth century. Beyond painting, Dalí pursued the arts in many other mediums including sculpture, film, fashion, photography, architecture, and more. He was friends with many of his famous contemporaries, including Picasso, Bunuel, Miro, and Duchamp. Learn about the sometimes-shy man with the instantly recognizable upturned mustache in this book for young readers that details the life of one of modern art's most celebrated figures.
99 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2023
3 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 22, 2024
Who Was ...? biography series for middle grade brings the flamboyant figure of Salvador Dali who was an influential surrealist artist, a fashionable man known for his iconic mustache and unique sense of style.
Salvador Dali was born on May 11, 1904 in Figueres, Spain, close to French border. He didn’t have interest in school. Instead, he daydreamed of creating something artistic. He dressed in blue sailor suits to school. From young age, he liked being different and creating his own image.
When he was eight, his family moved to a big house where Salvador created his art studio in the attic. A family friend Ramon Pichot, an impressionist painter, became his mentor.
In 1922, he began Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Madrid. Salvador experimented with different styles. Yet, he had a great appreciation for the old masters. He spent a lot of time at Prado Museum, studying the paintings.
Steadily his work became recognized. After an exhibit in the US, he became very popular in New York.
Salvador continued to experiment with his art style, and never stopped learning the art history. In Italy, he studied the great masters of Renaissance.
At the age of thirty-four, he became one of the wealthiest painters in the world.
When WWII broke out, he moved to the US for eight years. After the war, he returned to Spain. By then, he already parted with surrealism. Then, his paintings became more spiritual and religious. He also became interested in science and history, and began painting large paintings of historical scenes.
In early 1960s, Salvador along with Pablo Picasso were the best known painters in the world. “His quest to be different allowed him to become one of the most recognizable people in the world – and one of the greatest artists of all time.”
This biography exemplifies a man who never stopped learning his own art, continuously experimented, and evolved as an artist with his unique style and personification.
This illustrated biography series for young readers, ages 8-12, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences and enriched with insightful inserts.
TRENDING INSPIRATION: Be Authentic
https://biopurposeland.blogspot.com/
Salvador Dali was born on May 11, 1904 in Figueres, Spain, close to French border. He didn’t have interest in school. Instead, he daydreamed of creating something artistic. He dressed in blue sailor suits to school. From young age, he liked being different and creating his own image.
When he was eight, his family moved to a big house where Salvador created his art studio in the attic. A family friend Ramon Pichot, an impressionist painter, became his mentor.
In 1922, he began Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Madrid. Salvador experimented with different styles. Yet, he had a great appreciation for the old masters. He spent a lot of time at Prado Museum, studying the paintings.
Steadily his work became recognized. After an exhibit in the US, he became very popular in New York.
Salvador continued to experiment with his art style, and never stopped learning the art history. In Italy, he studied the great masters of Renaissance.
At the age of thirty-four, he became one of the wealthiest painters in the world.
When WWII broke out, he moved to the US for eight years. After the war, he returned to Spain. By then, he already parted with surrealism. Then, his paintings became more spiritual and religious. He also became interested in science and history, and began painting large paintings of historical scenes.
In early 1960s, Salvador along with Pablo Picasso were the best known painters in the world. “His quest to be different allowed him to become one of the most recognizable people in the world – and one of the greatest artists of all time.”
This biography exemplifies a man who never stopped learning his own art, continuously experimented, and evolved as an artist with his unique style and personification.
This illustrated biography series for young readers, ages 8-12, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences and enriched with insightful inserts.
TRENDING INSPIRATION: Be Authentic
https://biopurposeland.blogspot.com/
January 3, 2026
Editing this review after learning more about Dali, his artwork, and his relationship with his wife, Gala. I also used Energy Spirituality Energetic Literacy skills to read his aura and Gala's aura, which taught me a lot about who they were as people. (Info about the type of aura reading is here: https://www.rose-rosetree.com/intro-e...)
First, Paula K Manzano's writing - I really liked it.
Second, Gregory Copeland's drawings - very impressive. Sometimes I find them a bit unbelievable. Did he *really* create all these amazing pencil (or is it charcoal?) drawings for this book? Some are so detailed, and then reduced to a little thumbnail.
Third, for a child, this book is fine, though really, you might want to choose other topics. There are lots of good WhoHQ books. Personally, I wouldn't introduce kids to Dali's paintings without providing the context (that, according to me, they are actually *ugly* and don't make any sense that is meaningful), or glorify his work, as IMO his work was really more about fame, images, and messing people up. (Note: obviously he was very skilled and influential, I don't have the standing to comment on his place in art history.)
Dali was super famous, but for what? I'm convinced now that he and his (abusive and controlling) wife were on a mission to detach people from objective reality - as if that would be helpful. That his wife was fame hungry and controlling. And that Dali lived as if image was reality and the highest truth... and tried to make himself into an image (that striking, wide-eyed face he makes, over in over in photos -trying to make himself an "icon").... rather than living like a full human being.
His paintings are not helpful to look at or try to figure out, in my opinion. It's like trying to figure out trump - you might as well just be digging through a landfill dump. You'll be there for the rest of your life and get nowhere but covered in garbage.
Surely, Dali was a very skilled and even talented painter. Some of his non-surrealist paintings, like Figure at a Window (1925) appeal to me. But the surrealist paintings seem to me to be grotesque, gratuitous, falsely "meaningful" when really they're like traveling into pockets of pus in his awareness. (A totally optional and unhelpful thing to do.) The ants crawling on things and whatnot.
This book is for children and so does not cover the seamier side of Dali's life, which is appropriate. But oh, was there a seam! For the grown ups in the room, the article below could be like a bucket of cold water if you've idealized Dali or his work at all.
https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2...
First, Paula K Manzano's writing - I really liked it.
Second, Gregory Copeland's drawings - very impressive. Sometimes I find them a bit unbelievable. Did he *really* create all these amazing pencil (or is it charcoal?) drawings for this book? Some are so detailed, and then reduced to a little thumbnail.
Third, for a child, this book is fine, though really, you might want to choose other topics. There are lots of good WhoHQ books. Personally, I wouldn't introduce kids to Dali's paintings without providing the context (that, according to me, they are actually *ugly* and don't make any sense that is meaningful), or glorify his work, as IMO his work was really more about fame, images, and messing people up. (Note: obviously he was very skilled and influential, I don't have the standing to comment on his place in art history.)
Dali was super famous, but for what? I'm convinced now that he and his (abusive and controlling) wife were on a mission to detach people from objective reality - as if that would be helpful. That his wife was fame hungry and controlling. And that Dali lived as if image was reality and the highest truth... and tried to make himself into an image (that striking, wide-eyed face he makes, over in over in photos -trying to make himself an "icon").... rather than living like a full human being.
His paintings are not helpful to look at or try to figure out, in my opinion. It's like trying to figure out trump - you might as well just be digging through a landfill dump. You'll be there for the rest of your life and get nowhere but covered in garbage.
Surely, Dali was a very skilled and even talented painter. Some of his non-surrealist paintings, like Figure at a Window (1925) appeal to me. But the surrealist paintings seem to me to be grotesque, gratuitous, falsely "meaningful" when really they're like traveling into pockets of pus in his awareness. (A totally optional and unhelpful thing to do.) The ants crawling on things and whatnot.
This book is for children and so does not cover the seamier side of Dali's life, which is appropriate. But oh, was there a seam! For the grown ups in the room, the article below could be like a bucket of cold water if you've idealized Dali or his work at all.
https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2...
January 23, 2024
Who Was Salvador Dali? is my 84th read from the Who HQ series.
Two reasons why I was excited for this one:
1) I'm particularly drawn to the artist biographies in this series.
2) My daughter is in Andalusia, Spain and I'm keeping notes on which places to see when I visit her. (For reference: I learned that Dali was Catalan. As a student he visited the Prado in Madrid as often as he could, studying the old masters. I also learned Diego Velazquez was born in Seville, Andalusia.)
I found this particular Who biography average. Fairly informative, but it didn't spark much feeling. I'm usually a feely reader.
Facts on Dali's education, career, and the places he resided throughout life are there, but it didn't tell me much about Dali the man. Likely, as with some other artists, and as an eccentric, he was hard to know and understand. It could be that some of his life and art were not suitable to delve into in children's literature. (I've read other works.)
While I'm not a big fan of surrealism or Dali's artwork, I do respect his technical ability as an artist.
I liked learning that he studied the old masters so much.
"He wanted to learn everything he could about them. Over his lifetime, Salvador never stopped studying the history of art."
Never stop learning. That message is good.
I've learned lots from these Who books. I credit them for helping me answer trivia questions. Never stop learning! :)
Two reasons why I was excited for this one:
1) I'm particularly drawn to the artist biographies in this series.
2) My daughter is in Andalusia, Spain and I'm keeping notes on which places to see when I visit her. (For reference: I learned that Dali was Catalan. As a student he visited the Prado in Madrid as often as he could, studying the old masters. I also learned Diego Velazquez was born in Seville, Andalusia.)
I found this particular Who biography average. Fairly informative, but it didn't spark much feeling. I'm usually a feely reader.
Facts on Dali's education, career, and the places he resided throughout life are there, but it didn't tell me much about Dali the man. Likely, as with some other artists, and as an eccentric, he was hard to know and understand. It could be that some of his life and art were not suitable to delve into in children's literature. (I've read other works.)
While I'm not a big fan of surrealism or Dali's artwork, I do respect his technical ability as an artist.
I liked learning that he studied the old masters so much.
"He wanted to learn everything he could about them. Over his lifetime, Salvador never stopped studying the history of art."
Never stop learning. That message is good.
I've learned lots from these Who books. I credit them for helping me answer trivia questions. Never stop learning! :)
October 5, 2023
I saw this book while browsing Libby. I am a grown adult, but this book was so interesting and absolutely impressed me. I grew up with Dali paintings around my house, but unfortunately my folks passed away before I could ever ask them about it. This book had tons of information and in a great layout. My kids are too young for this, but will definitely be recommending it as they get older!
November 1, 2023
4 stars, great overview of artistic movements and the overview of his interpersonal and professional life. But I wanna know WHY he was wildinnnnn why he staged a photo shoot with an antelope and gave a lecture in full body armor, what made him and Gale throw the dream ball (sounds sick I love it) and it was so absolutely outrageous. Dare I ask DRUGS?!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2023
That is a very good question...there are times that I think Dalí would be hard-pressed to answer this question. This is a very good introduction to Dalí for grade school children; just enough information that they will be able to understand the creative currents that took him to iconhood. Just to let you know; in a parallel universe I own The Persistence Of Memory!
March 30, 2025
Besides mention of what I think is considered to be the primary scandal in his life, this is a great, informative children’s book. I learned a lot about Salvador Dali and his accomplishments. I had no idea that he created the logo for Chupa Chups candies! Or that they were the first candies to make it to space.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2023
Salvador Dali was unique in his paintings and in his life. He met most of the famous artists of his time and lived through several styles of paintings. He even once borrowed an anteater to promote himself in Paris. This book gives one an idea of how he spent his life.
September 10, 2025
Throughout much of my life Salvador Dali has been my favorite artist. I have visited two museums and attended a multi media event in behalf of his art. Even though this is a children’s book, I learned several new things about him.
November 15, 2024
Book is well written. But I just don’t find the subject interesting.
February 15, 2025
I love the art of Salvador Dali and this quick books had lots of tidbits about his life as well as his art. I enjoyed it!
December 8, 2023
Interesting to learn more about one of my favorite artists.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews