The famous artist known for his surreal paintings, including "The Persistence of Memory," is Salvador Dalí. Born in Spain in 1904, Dalí was a prominent figure in the Surrealist movement and used vivid imagination and bizarre imagery to challenge perceptions of reality. "The Persistence of Memory," painted in 1931, features melting clocks draped over a dreamlike landscape, symbolizing the fluidity of time and memory. Dalí's eccentric personality and distinctive artistic style, characterized by meticulous detail and fantastical elements, have made him an iconic figure in 20th-century art, influencing countless artists and movements.