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In a cruise lecture, the author learned about how the largest private collection of Salvador Dalí’s artwork ended up in St. Petersburg, Florida instead of Cleveland, Ohio. The Morse couple had amassed the extensive Dalí collection over 40 years and wanted to find a permanent home for it, but Cleveland’s civic leaders moved too slowly compared to the rising city of St. Petersburg.

Why it matters

The loss of the Dalí collection was a missed opportunity for Cleveland to enhance its reputation as an arts destination and showcase one of the most renowned surrealist artists of the 20th century. While the Cleveland Museum of Art has a broad and impressive collection, the Dalí trove could have drawn more visitors and attention to the city.

The details

The Morse couple, A. Reynolds and Eleanor, befriended Dalí over 40 years and assembled the largest private collection of his artwork in their Beachwood, Ohio home. As they neared the end of their lives, they sought a permanent home for the collection, with the caveat that it remain intact. Cleveland was considered early on, but the city’s civic leaders moved too slowly compared to the rising city of St. Petersburg, Florida, which had more passion and incentive to build a museum dedicated to housing the Dalí collection.

The Morses assembled the Dalí collection over 40 years.In the twilight of their lives, the Morses sought a permanent home for the collection.Cleveland was considered early on as a potential location for the Dalí museum.

The players

A. Reynolds Morse

An industrialist who, along with his wife Eleanor, befriended Salvador Dalí and assembled the largest private collection of his artwork over 40 years.

Eleanor Morse

The wife of A. Reynolds Morse, who along with her husband befriended Salvador Dalí and assembled the largest private collection of his artwork over 40 years.

Salvador Dalí

A renowned surrealist artist of the 20th century, whose unconventional and unsettling artwork the author finds difficult to appreciate.

Cleveland Museum of Art

The art museum in Cleveland, Ohio, which the author suggests could have enhanced its reputation by housing the Dalí collection, though the museum’s broad and impressive collection already provides inspiration.

St. Petersburg, Florida

The city that ultimately gained the Dalí collection, as it had more passion and incentive to build a museum to house the extensive artwork compared to the slower-moving civic leaders in Cleveland.

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What they’re saying

“Supposedly, the Morses thought early of Cleveland, a city rich in its appreciation of art. But Cleveland doesn’t have the collection for the same reason it doesn’t have so many things: Its civic leaders moved at a tortoise’s pace. The arts community was interested; its interest didn’t necessarily translate into passion.”

— Justice B. Hill, Author

The takeaway

This story highlights how a city’s lack of urgency and passion can lead to the loss of a significant cultural asset, even when there is initial interest from the arts community. Cleveland’s missed opportunity with the Dalí collection serves as a lesson on the importance of civic leaders being proactive and responsive to opportunities that can enhance a city’s reputation and draw visitors.