Salvador Dali
/About Salvador Dali (1904-1989)
Salvador Dalí was an icon of Surrealism, the 20th-century avant-garde movement that sought to release unconscious creative potential through art that featured dreamlike imagery. Dalí’s fantastical prints, paintings, sculptures, films, and writing helped cement the movement’s identity. Working off psychoanalytic ideas, Dalí rendered fantastical creatures and landscapes that could unsettle and awe. His 1931 canvas The Persistence of Memory is one of the most recognizable artworks of all time. Dalí exhibited widely in his lifetime, and his works belong in the collections of institutions including the Tate, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Art Institute of Chicago, among others. His work has fetched multimillions of dollars on the secondary market.
Imagination and Objects of the Future Portfolio, 1975
This portfolio showcases Dali's imaginative prowess as he envisions future conveniences and luxuries. Rooted in thorough explorations of science, biology, and mathematics, these whimsical inventions reflect the artist's late-career focus on technological advancement, nuclear warfare, and contemplations about his own mortality and artistic legacy. The prints within the portfolio encapsulate many central themes and motifs present in Dali's extensive body of work.
Comprising 10 drypoint etchings combined with lithography, screenprint, and collage, this complete portfolio is a testament to Dali's mastery. Each print is signed in pencil and annotated "I-44/250." Additionally, the portfolio features six introductory pages presented on three folded sheets. The image sizes vary, with each sheet measuring 30 x 22 inches. This collection stands as a vivid representation of Dali's unique artistic vision and his exploration of profound themes in the twilight of his career.
Reference: “The Official Catalog of the Graphic Works of Salvador Dali” by Albert Field.
Ref. 75-11-B, pages 104. Published by The Salvador Dali Archives.
Salvador Dali's "Imagination and Objects of the Future" 1975, is a remarkable addition to the GMU collection, courtesy of the generous contribution by Mr. Joseph D. Serpico.
Our Historical Heritage, 1975
Our Historical Heritage is a portfolio that shows Dalí’s influence from religious themes. The portfolio, Our Historical Heritage, depicts events and historical figures from the Hebrew scriptures (The Torah or Old Testament), curated with the signature style only found in Dalí’s work. This series includes Noah’s Ark, Joseph, King Saul, and more. Each image showcases Dalí’s master draftsmanship.
King David, from Our Historical Heritage, 1975
Engraving with pochoir in colors on Japon paper, signed and numbered in pencil Edition
26 × 19 7/8 in
“King David” by Salvador Dalí is a magnificent work of art, which highlights Dalí's skill and religious influence. The image portrays King David as an elder playing a large, beautiful harp. King David has bright blue eyes and long, curly grey hair.
Adam and Eve, from Our Historical Heritage, 1975
Color engraving
26 × 19 7/8 in
In the depiction of Adam and Eve from this series, Dalí presents Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden at the moment they are tempted to eat the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge. In Dalí’s depiction of the historic biblical event, both figures reach simultaneously for the bright red apple, which hangs from a spindly tree branch while the sly serpent wrapped around the trunk looks on.
Joseph (Joseph hung by his brethren) (from Our historical heritage)
Color engraving
26 × 19 7/8 in
In Joseph (Hung By His Brethren), Dalí Has Boldly Attempted To Show The Moment The Brothers Of Joseph – All Sons Of The Iconic Jacob In The Line Of Abraham – Lower Their Brother Into A Well, Which Preceded Them Selling Him Into Slavery. The Eleven Brothers Were Jealous Of Joseph, Who Was Favored By Their Father, And This Led Them To Great Sin Against Their Brother And Their Father. These Twelve Sons (Including Joseph) Would Become The Foundation Of The Twelve Tribes Of Israel.
Dahlia rapax (Dahlias of Dalí) (From Surrealist Flowers Portfolio), 1972
Heliogravure and embossing on heavy Arches paper
29 2/5 × 21 7/10 in
The Salvador Dali Surrealist Flowers suite consists of 15 lithographs with an original engraving. Editions Graphiques Internationales published the suite in 1972. The paper is very heavy Arches. The etchings shown below are loose as issued. The justification is EA. Each sheet has the copyright notice on the back. The image size is 21 1/4″ x 14 1/2.” The full sheet size is 25 1/2″ x 19 1/4″.
L’aventure medicale, 1980
There are few more fascinating subjects in human history than man's efforts to cure the sick, heal the wounded, and nurse the ailing. Since men first walked the earth, they have sought to prolong life, with magic, natural remedies, and the resources of modern medicine.
Therefore, the record of human achievements in the healing arts is astonishingly rich, documented throughout the history with murals, scuptures, drawings, and paintings from every imaginable place and period.
Through Salvador Dali's extraordinary imagination, he reveals a surreal and personal vision of the physician and his role in medicine.
LA LUTTE CONTRE LE MAL, "The Healing Light”, is a journey through the phenomena of mysticism. Symbolic in imagery, it reveals to us the very progress of medicine.
We know him as the medicine man, the witch doctor, the sorcerer, or the modern day physician. By whatever title we call him, the healer will always be accorded a high place socially and professionally. Soon this century’s ideas and activities will be reviewed by the next century’s historians and scientists, and each period will take its turn being evaluated by its successors.
We would do well to view today’s medicine as merely a bridge between the past and future.
La lumiere de la guerison (The Dentist), 1980
Lithograph on Arches
30 × 21 in
This title translates to "The Light of Healing", from Dalí's series "L'Aventure Medicale". In this work, the Dentist shines his bright light upon the subject in his chair, with his light of healing.
The Doctor, 1980
Materials Color Lithograph
26 × 20 in
Elephant herd, 1977
lithograph, 21 3/4 x 15 3/4 in.
Photo Credit: Sophie Bae / Mason Exhibitions
Researched by Soo Paek and Sophie Bae