More than 100 original works by legendary surrealist artist Salvador Dalí from the renowned Argillet collection have arrived in Singapore for an exclusive sale. The extraordinary collection offers art enthusiasts and collectors a rare opportunity to acquire pieces from one of history's most celebrated artists, with works spanning various periods of Dalí's prolific career.

Christine Argillet, who has intimate knowledge of the artist's personal life, reveals a surprisingly different side of the flamboyant surrealist master. According to Argillet, despite Dalí's public persona as an eccentric figure who was once photographed walking his pet giant anteater through the streets of Paris, the artist was actually "an extremely simple, kind and elegant man" in private. She describes his typical attire as consisting of nothing more than "a simple shirt, shorts and slippers" – an outfit that could belong to any ordinary Singaporean man, yet was the preferred uniform of one of the world's greatest artistic talents.

Argillet's unique perspective comes from her personal relationship with Dalí, having spent many summers of her youth with the artist at his home in Figueres, a town in northeastern Spain, during the 1960s. These intimate experiences gave her unprecedented access to observe the real Salvador Dalí behind the carefully crafted public image of the theatrical surrealist who captivated the art world with his bizarre mustache, outlandish statements, and dreamlike paintings.

The Argillet collection represents decades of careful curation and preservation of Dalí's works, encompassing paintings, drawings, sculptures, and prints that showcase the evolution of the artist's distinctive style. From his early classical training to his groundbreaking surrealist masterpieces, the collection provides a comprehensive overview of Dalí's artistic journey and his contributions to modern art.

This Singapore exhibition and sale marks a significant cultural event for Southeast Asia's art scene, bringing world-class artworks to the region's growing community of collectors and art enthusiasts. The availability of such a substantial collection of Dalí works in Singapore reflects the city-state's increasing prominence as an international art hub and its appeal to major collectors and galleries worldwide.