Helen of Troy or Helen of Sparta, was a figure in Greek mythology said to have been the most beautiful woman in the world. She was believed to be the daughter of Zeus by Leda or Nemesis. Helen was first married to King Menelaus of Sparta but her abduction and subsequent marriage to Paris of Troy was the most immediate cause of the Trojan War. Paris and Helen are often depicted on a beach during their elopement with the God of love, Eros, stopping at the islet of Kranai (modern day Gytheio) to consummate their relationship.
Salvador Dalí was obsessed with Helen of Troy from childhood and saw his wife Gala and the surrealist character Gradiva as the embodiments of Helen. He dedicates his autobiography Diary of a Genius to "my genius Gala Gradiva, Helen of Troy, Saint Helen, Gala Galatea Placida.