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Thyssen-Bornemisza to Explore Dalí's Freudian Universe in 2026 Exhibition

exhibition · 2026-08-30

From October 20, 2026, to January 24, 2027, the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid will host 'El universo freudiano de Dalí,' an exhibition that delves into the significant impact of Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theories on Salvador Dalí's artistic creations. Curated by Jaime Brihuega, alongside technical curators Leticia de Cos and Juan Ángel López-Manzanares, the showcase features 136 pieces—including paintings, drawings, sculptures, and videos—sourced from institutions across Europe and North America. The exhibition outlines Dalí's relationship with Freud, starting with his 1920s readings of 'The Interpretation of Dreams' in Madrid, culminating in their notable 1938 meeting in London, facilitated by Stefan Zweig and Edward James. Organized into six chronological sections, it also includes works by artists such as Jean Arp and Pablo Picasso. The event is supported by the Comunidad de Madrid, Ayuntamiento de Madrid, and Natixis, and will feature a catalog with contributions from Brihuega, William Jeffett, Dawn Ades, and Ignacio Gómez de Liaño, as well as a lecture series from October 28 to November 25, 2026, featuring Ian Gibson and others.

Key facts

  • Exhibition 'El universo freudiano de Dalí' runs from October 20, 2026 to January 24, 2027 at Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid.
  • Curated by Jaime Brihuega, with technical curators Leticia de Cos and Juan Ángel López-Manzanares.
  • Features 136 works including paintings, drawings, sculptures, and videos.
  • Explores Dalí's fascination with Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic writings, from the 1920s to his later period.
  • Highlights the 1938 meeting between Dalí and Freud in London, arranged by Stefan Zweig and Edward James.
  • Organized in six chronological sections, each linked to key biographical chapters.
  • Includes works by Dalí alongside pieces by Jean Arp, Arnold Böcklin, Max Ernst, Jean-François Millet, Pablo Picasso, Santiago Ramón y Cajal, Julio Romero de Torres, Gino Severini, and Yves Tanguy.
  • Accompanied by a catalog with texts by Jaime Brihuega, William Jeffett, Dawn Ades, and Ignacio Gómez de Liaño, and a lecture series with Ian Gibson, Juan José Lahuerta, Alyce Mahon, and Elliot King.
  • Supported by Comunidad de Madrid, Ayuntamiento de Madrid, and Natixis.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza
  • Residencia de Estudiantes de Madrid
  • Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí
  • Museu de Montserrat
  • Haggerty Museum of Art, Marquette University
  • The Museum of Modern Art, New York
  • Lempertz
  • Comunidad de Madrid
  • Ayuntamiento de Madrid
  • Natixis

Locations

  • Madrid
  • Spain
  • Figueres
  • Cadaqués
  • Catalonia
  • Paris
  • France
  • London
  • United Kingdom
  • New York
  • United States
  • Brussels
  • Belgium
  • Florence
  • Italy

Sources