Artists have always been known for their eccentricities, and many of history’s most celebrated figures cultivated strange hobbies and quirky habits. These interests often provided an outlet for their creativity and helped shape their unique perspectives on life. Here, we dive into the lesser-known pastimes and peculiar routines of some of the world’s most iconic artists.
1. Salvador Dalí – Obsession with the Surreal
Known for his surrealist masterpieces, Salvador Dalí was just as unusual in his private life as he was on canvas. Dalí’s eccentric personality included a variety of peculiar habits that matched the bizarre imagery in his work. He had a fascination with objects that were both repellent and beautiful, famously keeping a pet ocelot named Babou that he would bring to upscale restaurants. Additionally, he would sometimes eat sea urchins because he believed they improved his creativity.
Dalí was also fascinated with dreams and altered states of consciousness, often inducing himself into a hypnagogic state (the transitional state between wakefulness and sleep) to boost his creativity. To achieve this state, Dalí would sit in a chair holding a spoon above a plate and let himself drift off. As he began to fall asleep, the spoon would slip from his hand, clanging onto the plate and waking him up—giving him just enough of a jolt to capture the dream-like images that were key to his surrealist style.
2. Leonardo da Vinci – Botany, Anatomy, and Inventing
Leonardo da Vinci is often remembered as the ultimate Renaissance man, and his diverse interests went far beyond painting. A true polymath, da Vinci was as fascinated by the workings of nature as he was by the canvas, spending years observing plant structures and creating meticulously detailed botanical sketches. His fascination with anatomy was equally intense; he dissected human and animal corpses to understand the human body and its mechanics.
Leonardo’s curiosity extended to engineering and invention, resulting in designs for flying machines, tanks, and even diving suits. His inventions, many of which were centuries ahead of their time, were grounded in his scientific studies and practical observations. Though few of his inventions were built during his lifetime, they demonstrate his boundless curiosity and the scientific rigor that fueled his creative process. Leonardo’s journals are filled with sketches and notes that reveal his insatiable desire to understand the world around him, painting him as much a scientist as he was an artist.
3. Frida Kahlo – Self-Portraits and Animal Companions
Frida Kahlo is famous for her haunting self-portraits, but she also had a unique bond with animals, treating them almost as reflections of her own self. Kahlo had an extensive collection of pets, including monkeys, parrots, dogs, and even a deer named Granizo, all of which appear in her artwork. For Kahlo, these animals were more than just pets; they were symbols of Mexican folklore and represented different aspects of her personality and struggles.
Kahlo’s other major interest was Mexican culture and folklore, and she collected indigenous art, clothing, and jewelry. Her wardrobe choices, rooted in traditional Tehuana dress, were as much a celebration of her heritage as they were a statement of defiance against conventional norms. Kahlo’s intense dedication to her self-image and cultural heritage can be seen in her art and life, and her animal companions and cultural artifacts were integral to the identity she crafted for herself.
