$8,813
Salvador Dalí (Spanish, 1904-1989) Signature Signed "DALI 1963". Oil on canvas, 30 x 74 3/4 in. (76.2 x 189.9 cm), framed. Condition: Light abrasions, craquelure, soiling/surface grime. Provenance: Private collection; painted and gifted to Ben Somoroff, New York, during a photo shoot for Look magazine, then through his family to the current owner. N.B. Considered one of the most important artists of the Surrealist movement, Dalí is best known for his dream-like paintings with a method termed "critical paranoia." This work however, reflects more of the Dadaist aesthetic. Dadaism, occuring predominately in Europe from 1916 to 1923, is based on the principles of nihilism, anarchy, and deliberate irrationality. As the movement faded, many Dada artists turned to Surrealism, embracing the opportunity to continually challenge notions of rationality. Dadaism experienced a revival, predominately in New York, in the 1950s. By filling the canvas entirely with only a signature and date, Dalí is challenging the notions of the established painter as well as acceptable subject matter. A photograph of the artist next to this painting accompanies the lot. We thank Joan R. Kropf, Curator of Collections at the Salvador Dali Museum Archives/Library, for her kind assistance in cataloging this work.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2007-03-02
