The Persistence of Memory

The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali is a painting where time is the theme. Dalí frequently described his paintings as “hand painted dream photographs.” He based this seaside landscape on the cliffs in his home region of Catalonia, Spain. The large central creature comprised of a deformed nose and eye was drawn from Dalí’s imagination, although it has frequently been interpreted as a self-portrait. For me this painting looks like a weird, confusing nightmare. This are the types of art that have many imaginations themes and random objects put together, this called Surrealism. 

Here is more information about Salvador Dali:

http://www.biography.com/people/salvador-dal%C3%AD-40389

Here are some other theories about the meaning of the painting:

http://www.authenticsociety.com/about/ThePersistenceOfMemory_Dali

Here is more about the type of art painting: Surrealism

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/surr/hd_surr.htm

Sources:

http://www.moma.org/learn/moma_learning/1168-2

http://www.moma.org/collection/object.php?object_id=79018