While I was on vacation, I visited the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, which houses the largest collection of Dali's works outside Europe. The building itself was quite amazing.
Looking down at the cafe from atop the spiral staircase...
Looking out...
Looking up...
They had an exhibit about illusion which was really interesting; it explained why close up this is a painting of Dali's wife Gala...
... but from far away it's the face of Abraham Lincoln...
...and why this painting on the floor looks like a skull when reflected in the curved column.
Look carefully at the sculpture... (click to enlarge)...
The museum has 7 of Dali's 18 masterworks. I had no idea these paintings were so huge; you could stand in front of one all day and still not see everything that's in it.
I can't even explain to you how much is lost in reproductions of these pieces - just the colors alone show nothing of the depth and shading of the originals...
I was in awe. If you're anywhere near the Tampa/St. Petersburg area, the museum is well worth seeing.
I couldn't resist including these photos of Dali - such a character!
addendum: I can't believe I forgot to mention that Dali and I share a birthday, May 11. Make of that what you will.
