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50 Secrets of Magic Craftsmanship

Salvador Dalí,

Haakon Chevalier (Translator)

4.25 · Rating details · 208 Ratings · 21 Reviews

For many, Salvador Dalí (1904–1989) represents the Surrealist painter par excellence, one whose work explored his own dream life, hallucinations, and fetishes in the process of objectifying the irrational elements of the unconscious. In this rare and important volume, the painter expresses (in his inimitably eccentric fashion) his ideas of what painting should be, expounds ...more

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Paperback, 192 pages

Published June 4th 1992 by Dover Publications

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Feb 23, 2009 Jon rated it it was amazing

If you want to traverse through Dali's weird brain, I recommend this book. It is also an excellent book on painting, but you have to filter through all the madness that is Dali.

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Jan 09, 2015 Dana Bolink rated it did not like it

Shelves: non-fiction, art

50 Secrets of Magic Craftsmanship by Salvador Dali is a tough read that doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

In his book, the famous painter Dali promises the young painter who aspires to become a master like Dali himself - and Dali certainly sees himself that way - to reveal fifty secrets of the craft, which will ensure success. In doing so, Dali invokes high expectations, on which he does not deliver.

Before I continue I should clarify that I know nothing of painting, or of Dali; I have seen sever 50 Secrets of Magic Craftsmanship by Salvador Dali is a tough read that doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

In his book, the famous painter Dali promises the young painter who aspires to become a master like Dali himself - and Dali certainly sees himself that way - to reveal fifty secrets of the craft, which will ensure success. In doing so, Dali invokes high expectations, on which he does not deliver.

Before I continue I should clarify that I know nothing of painting, or of Dali; I have seen several of his works and like a few of them, but that is as far as my knowledge goes. In addition, I feel it's important to note that the world of art - as much as I like pretty things - always leaves a nasty side taste in my mouth; I simply find it an unethical practice that the marketing skills and contacts you posses are more important than skill or originality in deciding whether or not the art world will consider you a great artist.

Have no fear though, Dali's advise has nothing to do with marketing or contacts; it revolves around sleeping, sea urchin skeletons, and contraptions involving spiderwebs. His 'magic' mainly consists of unfounded opinions on subjects that hardly seem related to painting. For example: painting - so Dali preaches - is to be done in a permanent state of waking slumber, which can be induced and maintained by fish eyes and regular sex. His secrets are nothing if not practical though: Dali teaches a masterpiece must be completed in exactly six days and even fills in the painter's calendar for those six days, specifying at what time which part of the painting is supposed to be worked on.
None of these secrets - for example why a painter must use a certain mixture of oils including three dead wasps which should still have their stinger - are accompanied by well funded arguments (never mind that a wasp doesn't lose its stinger). The painter and/or reader is simply to take them at face value, to hold them for holy truth, because it is the great Dali who wrote them down.

Which leads me to another point of critique, but also great amusement. For yes, Dali is considered a great painter, by none less so than himself. He even shows how highly he values himself in this aspect in the form of an intricate table judging different painters on different skills like composition and originality. It goes without saying that Dali scores rather high in all categories, putting himself roughly at the level of Da Vinci, only allowing painters like Velasquez and Vermeer, who he idolizes, above himself.
On top of that, he makes it no secret in his writing that he considers himself highly intelligent, a fact he feels the need to prove by inserting all manner of archaic, long or simply needlessly complicated words into his text. He also makes frequent use of what he calls Dalinisms: wise phrases, lessons or sayings that deserve to be immortalized together with his name. Such as "everything that the eye sees is constantly formed by everything that this eye has seen before—and also that the retina and history resemble each other like two drops of historic retina". There's also Dalinist aesthetics, Dalinist skies, etc. of course. And if that won't suffice, there's always Latin, French and Italian to help him out.
All of the tangents of self praise and foreign languages made me laugh in their ridiculousness during the early pages. But as the nonsense and narcissism continues it becomes annoying and reading turns into a chore, then a fight just to finish the book.

At the end, I was left with a feeling of immense relief and a slight satisfaction for having managed to read all 193 pages (it was only 193, really?) of it, but no useful knowledge on how to become a master painter. I did get an opportunity to form an opinion on Dali as a person though, having never read anything about him. My conclusion is that he must've been egocentric, a narcissist and quite likely suffering from several OCD's. I'm left with the feeling he could've been quite funny, if he hadn't taken himself so seriously.
The way he starts his "Clear and Brief Prologue" should have served as a clear warning, but I failed to heed it. "The two most fortunate things that can happen to a painter are, first, to be Spanish and, second, to be named Dali. Those two fortunate things have happened to me." Perhaps I'm just jealous? ...more

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Jul 22, 2011 Ronald Wise rated it liked it

An oversize book with large print and many interesting illustrations or sketches by the author. I'm not a painter and so feared I'd find this book a bore, but quickly discovered it to be very intriguing. Dali's odd sense of humor was very satisfying and I now feel that my knowledge of the process of artistic painting is so much more complete — from the artist's disposition in the creative process, to the techniques of working with oil paints. This was my first introduction to Dali's mind and I'l ...more

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Sep 13, 2017 Arf Ortiyef rated it it was amazing

Dali's master class on painting and surrealism should be mandatory reading for every art student and all those who want to understand Dali. filled with humor and incredible insight into the techniques of a true master painter. don't be distracted by the very funny tangents so much that you miss out on the deep philosophical profundity of the egg, the milk and the crown for example, or his entirely practical methodology for tapping into the world of dreams. essential reading.

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Oct 23, 2015 Sarah rated it liked it

Shelves: art, nonfiction

First and foremost, let me make something perfectly clear: I never have been and probably never will be a painter. However, as a musician, I derive immense enjoyment from learning about the other forms of art, how they vary from my own, and how they connect. Visual art, therefore, is something I go through phases with- at times I don't really pay a whole lot of attention to it because of focusing on my own branch, but I have spurts of time when I want to learn about the craft.

Salvador Dali is a ...more

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Jun 11, 2014 verbava rated it really liked it

Shelves: art-and-artists

дуже хороша книжка про те, що все-таки насамперед художникові варто вміти малювати коників – а потім уже проводити хоч які експерименти.

Итак, следует признать: почти все современные художники забыли о традициях старых мастеров, и мы больше не вольны делать то, что нам хочется, - "мы делаем то, что получается". Существует испанская пословица, которой народная мудрость определяет плохих художников: "Если получится с бородой - значит, будет святой Антоний, если без бороды - Непорочное зачатие". Пик дуже хороша книжка про те, що все-таки насамперед художникові варто вміти малювати коників – а потім уже проводити хоч які експерименти.

Итак, следует признать: почти все современные художники забыли о традициях старых мастеров, и мы больше не вольны делать то, что нам хочется, - "мы делаем то, что получается". Существует испанская пословица, которой народная мудрость определяет плохих художников: "Если получится с бородой - значит, будет святой Антоний, если без бороды - Непорочное зачатие". Пикассо, представляющий собой случай более драматичный, нежели Сезанн, - он гениальнее, разрушительнее и анархичнее и никогда не претендовал на роль создателя и патриарха, - часто приводил эту пословицу, которая ему очень нравилась и которую он превратил в девиз собственной художественной манеры. Пикассо было прекрасно известно, что белая эмаль для окраски дверей, купленная в лавчонке на углу, эмаль, которой он покрывал свои холсты, через год пожелтеет, как покрытая клеем газетная бумага! Точно так же поджигающий церковь анархист не сомневается: он делает это, чтобы сжечь храм, а не для того, чтобы спасти его. ...more

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Jun 09, 2013 Jesse rated it liked it

Shelves: art-history

I wish I had found this book when I was going through my teenage fascination with Dali. There are answers to so many questions I had back then in this book. Some of them are answers about oil painting techniques, others explore Dali's subject matter--although mostly indirectly. Still others provide a theoretical foundation for the connection of the soul to one's art. For example, I have been pondering the implications on focus, restraint, and composure in his statement that "The true painter mus ...more

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Nov 08, 2016 Suzette rated it liked it

This is a must read for any Dali fan. My rating is based on the book as it might appeal to a general reader. It rambles, as one might expect, and is incredibly detailed on things like the composition of various paint colors. If that's not your thing, you will probably be bored by this book. If you are interested in how Dali views the importance of drawing before painting and how to use various tools to help one as a painter get the right perspective, then you will find this book quite fascinatin ...more

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Feb 21, 2016 Morris Nelms rated it it was amazing

Shelves: art

I haven't read it all, but I've read enough to know this book is one of a kind. Dali is a great artist with an oversize personality and ego as well. It all comes through here. Lots of information about painting, but it is not a technical manual. It is full of great ink work by Dali which is enough to justify owning the book if you are a fan. If you dislike Dali and are not interested in the visual arts, don't bother. If the opposite is true, don't miss it.

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Feb 20, 2012 Goldie Katsu rated it really liked it

Shelves: game-design

Brilliant, thought provoking, and surreal (of course). Have had many good discussions from this book. (Got here from the Book of Lenses.)

I love how his personality and ego come through, but his writing inspires tapping into the subconscious and even where I don't agree the book makes me think.

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Sep 13, 2010 Eman AlRaesi rated it it was amazing

In this book Dali gives his opinions on art and discuss some bizarre methods to get his creativity flowing and gives you as the title suggests 50 secrets on how to be a painter like he is (allmost)
highly recommended if you're into art or philosophy, i don't think it's an art manual though

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Jul 31, 2008 Cameron rated it it was amazing

a must if youre looking to improve your skill in the fine arts.

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Apr 21, 2009 Andy Alexander rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

omfg. read it.

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Jul 10, 2014 Martyr rated it liked it

Im looking forward..!

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Apr 01, 2008 Floyd rated it it was amazing

The perfect blend of genius and insanity. A must read for all people of intellect.

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Nov 26, 2007 Charles Baudelaire rated it it was amazing

Lot's of little painting secrets if you sift through it enough.

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Dec 06, 2016 David rated it it was amazing

I typically do not write reviews, however this is one of the books I come back to over and over again. I own many books on art techniques, but this is the most valuable, in my opinion.

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Mar 27, 2008 Troy rated it really liked it

Shelves: art

Good supplement. Read and read again to figure out what he is saying... then a year later it will make sense!

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Sep 14, 2017 Ryan Johnson rated it it was amazing

Dali tricks you into thinking this is a text book on painting and, once he has you hooked, delivers a master-course on surrealism.

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Mar 04, 2008 Ichiro Mito rated it it was amazing

Recommended to Ichiro by: The Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, FL

Shelves: already-done-read

WEird. REally weird... but some useful information on... painting and Dali's psychology.

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About Salvador Dalí

Salvador Dalí

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Salvador Domingo Felipe Jacinto Dalí i Domènech, 1st Marquis of Púbol, was a Spanish surrealist painter born in Figueres, Catalonia, Spain.

Dalí was a skilled draftsman, best known for the striking and bizarre images in his surrealist work. His painterly skills are often attributed to the influence of Renaissance masters. His best known work, The Persistence of Memory, was completed in 1931.

Salvado ...more

More about Salvador Dalí