*The Persistence of Memory' alludes to the influence of scientific advances during Dali's lifetime. The stark yet dreamlike scenery reflects a Freudian emphasis on the dream landscape while the melted watches may refer to Einstein's Theory of Relativity, in which the scientist references the distortion of space and time. This painting was one of the first Dali executed using his 'paranoid-critical' approach in which he depicts his own psychological conflicts and phobias. The pocket watches are not the only references to time in the painting. The sand refers to the sands of time and sand in the hourglass. The ants have hourglass-shaped bodies. The shadow that looms over the scene suggests the passing of the sun overhead, and the distant ocean may suggest timelessness or eternity. Broken branches of Olive tree represent the death of peace, reflecting the political climate between the two World Wars as well as the unrest leading to the Spanish Civil War in Dali's native country. *Salvador Dali (1904-1989) - A Spanish artist renowned for 'surrealism', cubism, futurism, technical skill, precise draftsmanship, striking & bizarre images in his work. Major themes in his work include dream sequences, the subconscious, sexuality, religion, science and his closest personal relationships. He used this method to realize the dreams and imagination he had in his mind, changing the real world the way he wanted and not necessarily what it was. Dal�'s artistic repertoire included painting, graphic arts, film, sculpture, design, photography, fiction, poetry, autobiography, essays and criticism.