The Persistence of Memory: Facts & Interpretation
It was completed in 1931 and is considered one of Dali’s most famous works.
The painting is only 9 1/2 by 13″ inch (24.1 x 33cm).
It possibly derives its meaning from Sigmund Freud’s work on psychoanalysis because Dali painted it during his psychoanalytical era of painting.
Interpretation 1: The persistence of memory meaning theme: the drooping pocketwatches possibly suggest the irrelevance of time during sleep. In other words, when we are asleep, or not conscious, the time does not persist, but memories do.
Interpretation 2: Yet another interpretation of this painting may, through the use of symbolism, suggest Einstein’s theory that time is relative and is not fixed.
Dali called his paintings hand-painted dream photographs.