Eleanor Ecob Morse Paintings

Eleanor Ecob Morse was an American artist and art historian known for her contributions to the understanding and appreciation of Salvador Dalí’s work. Born in 1931, Morse spent much of her life involved in the arts, both as a creator and as a scholar. She and her husband, Reynolds Morse, were avid collectors of Dalí's art, and their passion for the artist's work led them to establish the Salvador Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Morse's journey with Dalí's art began when she and Reynolds, an engineer by profession, started acquiring Dalí's works in the early 1940s. Over the decades, their collection grew to become one of the most comprehensive private collections of Dalí's work in the world. Eleanor, alongside her husband, was deeply involved in the study and curation of Dalí's art, and her scholarly work contributed to the growth of Dalí studies as a serious academic field.

In 1982, the Morses decided to donate their entire collection to the public. The Salvador Dalí Museum opened in St. Petersburg, Florida, with Morse playing a crucial role in its establishment and development. The museum houses the largest collection of Dalí's works outside Europe, including an extensive archive of documents, photographs, and objects related to the artist's life and work.

Eleanor Ecob Morse’s legacy is not only the museum itself but also her contributions to art history through her research and publications on Salvador Dalí. She served as a guide and mentor to many Dalí scholars and enthusiasts, and her work helped to secure Dalí's place within the canon of modern art. Eleanor Ecob Morse passed away in 2021, leaving behind a lasting impact on the world of art history and a testament to the enduring influence of Salvador Dalí’s work.