“I Am Not Strange. I Am Just Not Normal.” – Salvador Dalí

Spanish Catalan artist Salvador Dalí (May 11, 1904 – January 23, 1989) became known for his surreal creations and his flamboyant life. Innovative and prolific, Dalí produced paintings, sculpture, fashion, advertisements, books, and film. His outlandish, upturned mustache and bizarre antics made Dalí a cultural icon.

“Since I don’t smoke, I decided to grow a mustache – it is better for the health. However, I always carried a jewel-studded cigarette case in which, instead of tobacco, were carefully placed several mustaches, Adolphe Menjou style. I offered them politely to my friends: “Mustache? Mustache? Mustache?” Nobody dared to touch them. This was my test regarding the sacred aspect of mustaches.” – Salvador Dalí

Although shunned by members of the surrealism movement, Salvador Dalí ranks among the world’s most famous surrealist artists. Here, below is a selection of the most surreal portraits of the artist with his iconic mustaches: