What you are looking at
Soft pocket watches droop over a branch, the edge of a box and a strange pale creature lying on the ground, in a dreamlike landscape with cliffs on the Catalan coast. A closed orange watch is covered in ants.
Why it is famous
Dalí painted it in 1931, early in his Surrealist years, and it became the best known image of Surrealism. It is much smaller than most people expect.
How big is The Persistence of Memory?
The Persistence of Memory measures 24.1 × 33 cm (9.5 × 13.0 in), without its frame. It is smaller than the Mona Lisa: about 19% of its area.
Compare it with other paintings
Where to see it
MoMA has owned it since 1934. Check the museum's online collection before you go, as it is sometimes lent to other museums.
Museums move and lend paintings. Check the museum's website before you travel to see one work. See all famous paintings in New York.
Also at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
Les Demoiselles d'AvignonPablo Picasso, 1907 New York
Christina's WorldAndrew Wyeth, 1948 New YorkFrequently asked questions
Who painted The Persistence of Memory?
Salvador Dalí painted The Persistence of Memory in 1931.
Where is The Persistence of Memory?
The Persistence of Memory is in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York, United States.
How big is The Persistence of Memory?
24.1 × 33 cm (9.5 × 13.0 in). It is smaller than the Mona Lisa: about 19% of its area.
What is The Persistence of Memory made with?
Oil on canvas.
Sources: Wikidata Q25729; Wikipedia, "The Persistence of Memory". Checked October 17, 2026. How we check.