Seeing Salvador Dali’s iconic Noblesa del Temps Sculpture in Andorra la Vella

Written By Chris Shirley MA FRGS

© Images by Hiatus.Design

Standing in the heart of Andorra la Vella, Salvador Dalí’s Noblesse du Temps (The Nobility of Time) is an iconic bronze sculpture that embodies his fascination with time, dreams, and the surreal nature of existence. The piece, a striking five-metre-tall melting clock, rests atop a tree-like structure, with a crown perched on top, symbolising the dominance of time over humanity.

Dalí, one of the most famous surrealist artists of the 20th century, frequently explored the theme of time in his work, particularly in The Persistence of Memory (1931), which introduced his signature melting clocks. Noblesse du Temps, created in 1977 and cast in bronze in 1984, continues this exploration by depicting time as fluid and uncontrollable—both relentless and distorted.

 

The crown symbolises power, possibly over destiny or eternity, while the tree-like trunk holding the clock suggests stability in the face of time’s inevitability. The soft, melting form of the clock contrasts sharply with the solid base, reinforcing the surreal tension between permanence and decay.

 

This particular cast of Noblesse du Temps was donated to Andorra by art collector Enric Sabater in 1999 and is now located in Plaça de la Rotonda, a popular square along the Gran Valira River. Its placement in Andorra la Vella, a city known for its blend of history, commerce, and natural beauty, adds to the sculpture’s mystique, making it a focal point for visitors and art lovers.

 

Although Dalí never lived in Andorra, his surrealist influence reaches far beyond his native Spain. His work continues to captivate audiences worldwide, and Noblesse du Temps remains a significant symbol of his artistic vision, reminding viewers of time’s fleeting nature and the surreal beauty hidden in everyday life.

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Chris Shirley MA FRGS

About the Author:

Chris is the founder of Hiatus.Design, a mission-driven branding and website design company that works with clients all over the world.

Over the course of his life, he has travelled to more than 60 countries across six continents, earned two Guinness World Records, completed the legendary Marathon des Sables, summited Mont Blanc and unclimbed peaks in Asia, become a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (FRGS), rowed across the Atlantic Ocean and obtained a Masterʼs degree in Business Management (MA).

https://www.hiatus.design
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