Animal Obsession inside Dali’s House in Cadaques, Spain
I always wanted to be an artist. My grandfather was an amazing painter, and my dad, too, has in incredible gift with design and lettering that is hard to top. Even as a kid, my brother was able to imagine and draw intricate creatures and the coolest replicas of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Somehow the visual art gene skipped me, even as much as I tried to create and paint and draw, it just wasn’t something I was ever really good at.
Even so, I love art. I could spend hours walking through art museums, studying the technique and coming up with inspiration ideas behind some of the world’s most famous pieces.
On my recent trip to Spain and the Catalonia area, I was able to visit Salvador Dali’s last permanent home, and a unique look inside his creative mind. Visiting an artist’s home is like a behind the scenes movie tour, except real life, and an experience that allows you to peak inside the mind of the artist.
The house, located in Cadaques, had a previous life as several fisherman’s homes, and Dali along with his wife, Gala, reconstructed the spaces to fit into their world. Everyday household items like watering cans or his dressing room each have their signature spin. One recurring theme throughout the house was animals. Stuffed, hung, used as a greeting in an entrance way or on top of furniture, Dali had a huge fascination with animals.
Here are a few images from my tour that capture the animals used around the house. I’m betting taxidermy was really popular during this period!
(From this window I could acutally see the gorgeous, luxury villa where we were staying in Cadaques. How cool is that?!)
So, What do you think about all these animals? Are you an artist? Do you search out museums to visit when you travel?
These photos are submitted to Budget Traveler’s Sandbox, Thursday Travel Photo. Make sure to check out the other bloggers’ photos too!
What a very interesting place and somehow does fit Dali. The flying hippo head is pretty weird. I’m not an artist but we do love to visit museums. Actually, one of my favorites is the Reina Sofia in Madrid which had quite a collection of Dali paintings.
I love Dali and was lucky enough to see a lot of his work in Madrid this winter. Next time I am in Spain I will put this on my list.
I love art, and cannot get enough of museums. I was in my element in Madrid this winter.
Fabulous, Jade. I have awlays wanted to visit and never got around to it. Your post has revived my desire to see this home of the much admired Dali.
Dali fascinates me and I with I had seen his home when I was in Spain. Thanks for bringing me these images to compensate.
No kidding about the popularity of taxudermy. I always think it’s kind of creepy. The glass chickens are cool
Very cool! I love the way you describe it as a real life behind the scenes tour.
I’d love to visit Dali’s house. I’ve always been fascinated by his work. Not so sure I like the animal theme though. Am I an artist? Well, I’m a wannabe and do dabble a bit.
I have a stuffed polar bear just like that in my living room!
What an interesting home – that polar bear is unbelievable! I have absolutely no artistic ability whatsoever but I do love to visit museums and galleries to admire the work of those that do.
Awesome photos! I love the bear and I really like the perfume bottles too. So interesting and unique. Something I had not thought of visiting but would be a nice stop if i was in the region.
Stuffed animals as art is pretty weird (in my opinion), but I really did statues of animals for some reason!
Okay, this is actually pretty cool. I didn’t know too much about the animal obsession but from the photos, the house seems properly weird!
I LOVE Dali’s house, but definitely could have done without all the stuffed dead animals – although I would have loved to have heard his finches and crickets.
I so know what you mean. Both my parents were very artistic as well, while I can’t draw a straight line. I do like Dali, though.