A previously lost Salvador Dali artwork, initially acquired for a mere £150 during a house clearance, has achieved a significant sale at auction. The piece, titled Vecchio Sultano, sold for tens of thousands of pounds, far exceeding its initial valuation, marking a notable rediscovery in the art world.
Key Takeaways
- Salvador Dali's Vecchio Sultano sold for tens of thousands after being bought for £150.
- The mixed-media artwork was found during a house clearance in Cambridge.
- It is part of a series of 500 pieces Dali intended to illustrate the Arabian Nights.
- Only 100 works from the series were completed by Dali.
- The rediscovery is considered significant for Dali scholars.
The Journey of a Lost Dali Masterpiece
The journey of Vecchio Sultano from an overlooked item in a Cambridge home to a coveted auction piece is remarkable. An antique and art dealer purchased the artwork for just £150 during a routine house clearance. The dealer's subsequent research uncovered the piece's true provenance and value.
The artwork is a mixed-media creation, combining watercolor paint with felt-tip pen. It depicts an illustration from the classic Middle Eastern folktales, Arabian Nights, a theme less commonly associated with Dali's more widely recognized surrealist oil paintings.
Artwork Details
- Title: Vecchio Sultano
- Medium: Mixed-media (watercolor paint and felt-tip pen)
- Subject: Illustration from Arabian Nights
- Dimensions: 38cm x 29cm (15in x 11in)
Authentication and Auction Success
Before its sale, the artwork underwent rigorous authentication by a Dali expert. This crucial step confirmed its authenticity, paving the way for its appearance at Cheffins Auctioneers. The auction house had estimated the piece would fetch between £20,000 and £30,000.
The actual sale price is believed to have surpassed this estimate, reflecting the strong demand for genuine works by the iconic Spanish surrealist. The anonymous seller, who conducted the initial research into the painting's background, played a key role in bringing this lost piece back into public awareness.
"The seller, who wishes to remain anonymous, completed the initial research on the painting and discovered that the picture had been offered for sale at Sotheby's in the 1990s, fully attributed to Dali," stated Gabrielle Downie from Cheffins.
A Rare Rediscovery in the Art World
The loss of attribution for a modern artwork is uncommon, making this rediscovery particularly significant for Dali scholars. It provides new insights into a lesser-known aspect of the artist's extensive practice, specifically his work with watercolors and illustrations.
The artwork is part of a larger project commissioned by a wealthy Italian couple, Giuseppe and Mara Albaretto. Dali intended to create a series of 500 pieces inspired by the Arabian Nights. However, he only completed 100 of these planned works.
Dali's Arabian Nights Series
Salvador Dali was commissioned to create 500 illustrations for the Arabian Nights. He completed only 100 of these pieces. Half of the completed works remained with the publishing house, Rizzoli, while the other 50 stayed with the commissioning Albaretto family.
Tracing the Artwork's Provenance
Of the 100 completed works, 50 remained with the publishing house Rizzoli. The other 50 were kept by the Italian family who commissioned them. These 50 pieces were later inherited by Christina, the daughter of Giuseppe and Mara Albaretto, who also happened to be Dali's goddaughter.
Experts at Cheffins believe that Vecchio Sultano likely originated from the batch of 50 works that remained with the publishers and were subsequently lost. This theory helps to explain how the artwork could have been lost to public knowledge for decades before its recent rediscovery.
"It is most likely that the work in question came from the batch of 50 which were retained and later lost by the publishers," Ms. Downie added, emphasizing the piece's unique history.
A Different Side of Dali
The small scale of the piece, measuring just 38cm by 29cm, and its use of watercolor, offer a glimpse into a different facet of Dali's artistic process. While often celebrated for his grand, dreamlike oil paintings, this work highlights his versatility and willingness to explore various mediums and thematic inspirations.
The sale not only brings financial success to the anonymous seller but also enriches the understanding of one of the 20th century's most influential artists. It reminds us that hidden treasures can still emerge from unexpected places, offering new perspectives on established masters.
- Dali's Legacy: Salvador Dali, who passed away in 1989, remains a central figure in surrealism.
- Art Market Impact: The rediscovery and successful auction sale demonstrate the enduring value of authenticated works by renowned artists.
- Future Discoveries: This event encourages continued scrutiny of private collections and house clearances for similar hidden gems.