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Salvador Dali Exhibition in Nice: Divine Creatures
The ‘Salvador Dalí : Divines créatures’ (Divine Creatures) exhibition offers visitors a chance to immerse in the Spanish surrealist artist’s universe and its extraordinary bestiary. From an apocalyptic horse to a spidery elephant and an anteater on a leash, more than 90 works, rarely seen by the public, are on display at the Espace Lympia, beside the Port of Nice, until 23 November 2025. (Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.)
The artworks include paintings, drawings, engravings, sculptures, photographs and films. Their diversity is a testament to Dalí’s polymorphic talent. (Dali was fond of the French Riviera and once spent four months creating an incredible 11 of his most epic art pieces while a guest at Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel’s legendary villa La Pausa in nearby Roquebrune-Cap-Martin.)
This Salvador Dali exhibition is a cross between bestiary and psychoanalysis
Salvador Dalí (1904–1989) created a collection of strange animals (both real and imagined) inspired by ancient myths, medieval art, and painters like Brueghel and Bosch. He didn’t follow the usual scientific way of classifying animals—instead, his creatures came from his own mind and emotions. They reflect his dreams, fears, phobias and fantasies. For Dalí, these bizarre animals weren’t just made-up creatures—they were symbols of deeper thoughts, feelings, and even psychological issues, especially his own.
The exhibition has been curated by Jean-Michel BOUHOURS, former chief curator at the Centre Pompidou in Paris. It’s an original production, and will only be in Nice. It is also the first Dali exhibition in Nice since the 1970s.
The layout has been designed by Hapaxe Editore studio (based in Turin, Italy).
The 90 works of art have come from 25 lenders in France and abroad, including the Museo National Centro de Arte Reina Sofia and the Salvador Dalí Society. This includes an exceptional collection of 14 photographs produced by Salvador Dalí and Philippe Halsman.
Please Note: The exhibition is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.