Salvador Dalí, The Source, Purgatory: Canto 21 (Field 189-200) 1963

Description

Wood Engraving in Colors on Rives BFK paper. Edition: 4765, French; 3188, Italian. Paper Size: 13 x 10.25 inches. Inscription: … more Wood Engraving in Colors on Rives BFK paper. Edition: 4765, French; 3188, Italian. Paper Size: 13 x 10.25 inches. Inscription: Unsigned and unnumbered, as issued. Catalogue Raisonne Reference: Michler & Löpsinger 1039-1138; Field 189-200. Excellent condition; unframed. Notes: The Salvador Dali Divine Comedy is a poem by Dante Alighieri (1265-1321), illustrating the journey from Inferno to Purgatory to Paradise. Between 1951 and 1960, Dali was invited by the Italian government to commemorate the birth of Dante Alighieri, Italy’s most famous poet, by producing a series of illustrations for a full-text Deluxe edition of Dante’s masterpiece, the Divine Comedy. Not deemed appropriate for a Spanish painter to illustrated the work of Italy’s greatest poet, the illustrations were not well received by the Italians. And the project was dropped in Italy, however Dali and French publisher Joseph Foret continued to pursue the publication of the Divine Comedy by giving the project to Les Heures Claires, a French editing and publishing company. Finally, after 55 months of hard work the edition was completed the 23rd of November 1963. Salvador Dali, in the course of the Divine Comedy project, created 101 watercolor drawings interpreting the book. These drawings are then reproduced using a wood engraving technique. With this technique, wood engravers carved 3500 woodblocks for the prints that make up the book. This results in 100 woodblocks in the French edition. Two different editors publish the French edition. Therefore there are 4765 books in French and 3188 in Italian. Later, in 1974, a German edition with a stated size of 1000 is also published.


SALVADOR DALI (1904-1989) Salvador Dali's work is associated with the surrealist movement of the 20th Century. A diverse and multi-talented artist, Dali is considered one of the most collected artists today, and his works offer an incredible opportunity for enormous appreciation in value. In addition to his original works, Dali produced works on paper for reproduction using dry point, etching, woodcut, and lithography. Many of his works are held in prestigious private and public collections world-wide. less