Salvador Dalí - The Persistence of Memory (1931)

Are Dalì's melting clocks actually melting Camembert cheeses in the sun? Let's find out!

Art History Online presents 'The Persistence of Memory 'by Surrealist painter Salvador Dalí (1904-1989).

The painting is known by various names; The Soft Watches, Droopy Watches, The Persistence of Time, and Melting Clocks.

We're going to adress the most common interpretations of 'The Persistence of Memory', but we're also taking look at it's visual qualities.

[iainholmes]

Nearly 90 years on, and it's still amazing. The very essence of a dream-like, surreal, sleepy landscape: time itself has become elastic. Discreet, strange and brilliant. Enjoyed the vid.

[divertissementmonas]

Memories are timeless as they are always present. The watches are in bronze, silver and gold calling to my mind the different ages or eras. The bronze one is not showing a clock face. Perhaps time was was more of a personal thing then, not synchronised with like the silver ones. It is a strange painting both plant and animal life appear to be relics within the landscape.

[helenhagos]

I am so glad the narrator stated there are many interpretations, that is key, although touching on historical aspects of Freud and dreams and Einstein relativity enhance a purpose of comprehension indicates time of or historical events leading to such surreal interruptions, again correlating such historical facts to this peace and yes peace to surrealist art should correlate accordingly to the work. The most helpful information of this painting is instead that of the sunset and angular objectivity. I really enjoy that the narrator stated such a claim as if it is of two lovers when one becomes less dominant hence one lover melting as the other becomes dominant. This is the perfect example of when comparative subjection is not used accurately. Instead I suggest if interupting this of other angular and sunset outside he painting is that actual of morning. Not sunset. It is very clear that the times consist Ofcourse melting are the same. Therefore noteable. Also seeing the artist image is a misleading thought of such comprehension of such a peace. I believe persistence of a dream is more relevant of a name considering Freud’s influences on dreams. Again the question remains of such interpretation. Identity of self isn’t a reflection of art interpretation I must add or even if artists identity. It’s of what remains that is given and unknown. Adding as editing very quickly what is known is subjective to interpretation I must insist to declare! Hence unknown is based on it. However Einstein theory of relativity does give clues on what is known without interpretation this is proof of what is GIVEN not just known of subjection. If of you refer to Einstein actual works and applied theories of such genius applications then you know what is GIVEN, with out questions.

[abdurrahmansiddiqui]

What does tThe long wooden plank in the plank symbolise??

[BlackStarASMR]

Maybe some people interpret too much into the painting. I don't think that Dali wanted to give a deep message. He just thought it would look cool.

[Trapset_Agent]

This is so obvious, the clocks represent that the fly, tree, and horse have died. And the hard watch that is being eaten by ants, is only starting to die.

[denisecolucci]

Do "The Face Of War" that's by Salvador Dali.

[sensibleorange]

It's Australia, the foundation of the gauntlet or Jacobs ladder, new Sparta

[raginaldmars]

In German we call it: Verflossene Zeit .