Leonardo da Vinci made paintings that were from the pinnacle of his being. He enmeshed his paintings with his soul and saw in them the infinite, pure wonder of the world.
Salvador Dali made paintings that played on the border between sanity and madness. His paintings portray confusion with the best clarity possible, which is why his work is art.
People appreciate Dali's adventures, but eventually they want to feel Leonardo da Vinci's grace and joy.
Both artists are necessary, it's just that Leonardo da Vinci's work is closer to what people really want to feel at their most fulfilled. Which is why most are comfortable lauding Leonardo da Vinci, and most are sort of uneasy around Dali's work.
