The Paranoid-Critical Method
Reading activity
Dalì himself developed the so-called paranoid-critical method, in order to paint without the control of reason and to let subconscious topics spring in the artwork.
Create 8 groups of 3-4 students
Read these two webpages
Paranoid critical method, provided by Tufts University (MA) - Programme of M.A. (Master of Arts) in Art History
(groups 1-4). This text focuses more on the cultural context, and on the importance of Freud and psychoanalysis.
Salvador Dali - The Paranoid Critical Transformation Method, provided by Humboldt State University (CA) - Art in the HSU Library
(groups 5-8). This text focuses more on style and technical features, comparing Dalì to other ancient and modern painters.
A Portrait of Sigmund Freud
A satyrical portrait of Sigmund Freud
Max Ernst, The Forest, 1927, Cologne, Musée Ludwig
Leonardo da Vinci, Old man's head, ink drawing on paper (the shading comes from a spot on the paper, which suggested the figure)
Discuss and report
Discuss the text and the images with your group.
Writing activity: create a summary (max 3 lines) of Dalì’s method
Report to the class