1970: Dalí x Boijmans
The Magritte exhibition was the first of a series of Surrealist exhibitions at Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, including a Salvador Dalí retrospective. In 1970, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen organised the first major retrospective of his work. The Spanish artist’s attendance at the opening in Rotterdam was a sensation. Thousands of people braved the winter cold each day to queue to see the exhibition. Visitors came from far and beyond. They defied the cold outside, waiting in long lines for hours until they were allowed to enter the museum. To finally see what they had come for: the exhibition of Salvador Dalí, with paintings and jewelry, including the controversial golden beating heart. More than 200,000 visitors came in two months. The Polygoon Journaal devoted a news broadcast to it.
