Untitled (Dream of Venus), 1939

Painted in 1939.

Conceived as part of Dalí’s immersive attraction Dream of Venus, the present work comprised the left-most portion of the mural backdrop for the artist’s pavilion at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. Untitled (Dreams of Venus) (1939) was a central scenic element within a larger theatrical funhouse that included live performers, aquatic imagery, and elaborate Surrealist décor. Installed behind glass tanks, and costumed “mermaids,” the mural enhanced a dreamlike marine setting that enveloped visitors in Dalí’s fantastical vision.

Within the present composition, biomorphic forms, shadowy figures, and fluid architectural elements merge in a shallow yet illusionistic space. Evoking both classical mythology and subconscious fantasy, Dalí’s meticulous technique—precise draftsmanship, smooth modeling, and jewel-like color—contrasts with the irrational juxtapositions that animate the scene.

The present work has been a mainstay of the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection since 1987, when it was gifted by Joseph and Jory Shapiro. Until 2023, however, the painting was believed to predate the pavilion and to be entirely unrelated to the World’s Fair project. Recent technical examinations and archival research conducted by the museum established that it is, in fact, the original mural backdrop created for Dream of Venus. This revised understanding fundamentally reshapes the painting’s significance, transforming its status from an independent Surrealist canvas into a key surviving element of Dalí’s ambitious environmental project and a rare material testament to his early American spectacle.