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Salvador Dali (1904 - 1989), Charon - crossing the Archeon - Divine Comedy , Inferno , Canto 3

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Lot description
Additional fees: +5% / 3% Droit de suite

lithograph, paper, 50 x 70 cm

Graphic, limited edition of 500 pieces, Arches velin paper
Each print is individually numbered, inscription in pencil l.d.: 20/500, Dimensions: 70
cm x 50 cm (sheet), 90 x 35 composition
At the bottom dry stamp - Certified Dali Dalart NV, Copyright 1981.

"Charon and the Crossing of Acheron" is a 1963 work by Salvador Dalí depicting Charon,

the carrier of souls to the hereafter in Greek mythology, was created as part of a series of works

inspired by Dante Alighieri's " Divine Comedy." Dali in 1951 was commissioned by the Italian

government to create 100 illustrations depicting the various hellish, purgatorial and heavenly visions

described in this epic.

Salvador Dali's illustrations for Dante Alighieri's " Divine Comedy" have won both acclaim and

have stirred controversy internationally. The project was intended to commemorate the 700th anniversary of

Dante's birth and was initially commissioned by the Italian government in 1950

After the decision to commission Dali was announced, protests erupted in Italy. Many

critics believed that the illustration of " The Divine Comedy," such an important work in Italian literature,

should be commissioned to a native artist rather than a foreign artist. Dali, despite his fame, was a

surrealist artist, which to many seemed inappropriate in the context of the classic work of

Dante.

Due to this controversy, the Italian government eventually backed out of the project. Nevertheless, Dali

continued working on the illustrations, which were eventually published by a French publishing house.

Despite the initial controversy, over time Dali's illustrations began to be appreciated for their uniqueness and

bold interpretation. Dali created 100 watercolors, one for each song from " The Divine Comedy," which

show not only the content of the poem, but also Dali's surreal vision of the world.

Dali transformed Dante's medieval visions into his characteristic surrealist paintings,

full of distortions, strange forms and uncanny symbols. His works were more of a psychological

and subjective interpretation of " The Divine Comedy" than a classical illustration. It was this innovative and

personal style has gained recognition among art critics and collectors around the world.

Dali's illustrations have been exhibited in many prestigious exhibitions around the world, including

art museums in the United States, Europe and Asia. Over time, they have become some of his

most famous graphic works.

Dali, with his surrealist approach to such a classic work as " The Divine Comedy," became part of the

tradition of reinterpretation of canonical literary works by modern artists. Today, his

illustrations to " The Divine Comedy" are seen as a unique work of art that successfully

combines the classic with modernity and innovation.

Charon symbolizes the transition between life and death. His boat is a bridge between the world

of the living and the hereafter. The swirling lines represent the uncertainty and mystery of the journey of souls. The ants on the

boat are a reference to death and passing. Ants are one of the frequent motifs in the

Salvador Dalí's works. After joining the Surrealist movement in 1929, ants began to

frequently appear in many of his works, such as "The Grim Game," "The Great Masturbator," "Rooms of

of Desire," "Gala," "Persistence of Memory" and "Surrealist Composition with Invisible Figures." Dali

uses ants to show his desires and, at the same time, the fears that haunt him: the ant

represents the decay he fears so much. It's a fascinating and repulsive motif that

has accompanied him throughout his painting career.

Auction
43rd Art Auction. Salvador Dali. Master of Surrealism
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Date
26 January 2025 CET/Warsaw
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Start price
304 EUR
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Auction

Galeria Foksal 17

43rd Art Auction. Salvador Dali. Master of Surrealism
Date
26 January 2025 CET/Warsaw
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