Without history there is no known motive. Without an MO, what was the artist attempting to say?
It’s Integral to the appreciation of any artist’s work. (my opinion of course) But, every artist reacts to his/her surroundings, political environment, and economic stature. So, without that person’s history, one would lose some appreciation of the true intent laid to canvas outside of our eyesight.
Example, Egyptian tombs. Their paintings could be intrepeted as “gee that’s nice”
But they not only differentiate the entombed, they segment his/her artist (hired artisan). The wealthier the dead; the better more replete the art.
Dali, of course was apolitical, which got him kicked out of the surrealists group. The war spawned his attitude.
The war also caused him to flee to the US (for 8 years between '40 and '48) where he had his 1941 retrospect at Museum of Modern Art in New York. That wouldn’t have happened without the war. (or we can assume so). So the history is vital to the art. 
And now, I shall shut my opinionated mouth. And just say,
Dude, your fish in water Rocks! (and it does) 
