Dalí had been producing limited edition lithographs since the 1930's, but the images he would create under the counsel of his new American Publishers, Sidney and Phyllis Lucas, would soon be considered the cream de la cream of Dalí lithographs. In 1964 Salvador Dalí walked into the Phyllis Lucas Gallery in New York to buy butterfly prints for a collage he was working on. The astute Mrs.
Lucas was well educated on Surrealism and took the liberty to offer suggestions to the artist's already flourishing career. She advised Dalí to introduce classic elements into Surrealism, a suggestion taken quickly as Dalí was a fanatic for classical work. Dalí listen carefully and together they would construct some of the most fascinating graphic works ever created. Immediately Dalí engineered such famous pieces as; Fantastic Voyage, Drawers of Memory, The Lucky Number of Salvador Dalí, The Rejuvenation of Time, and Symphony Bicyclette. Up close and personal these images never fail to capture the mind of the viewer.
In 1974 Dalí paid homage to the artists that fueled his passion for painting, the great masters; Velasquez, Vermeer, Rembrandt, and
Raphael. Under the direction of his publishers, the Lucas', he executed an edition of lithographs that would unite generations of art history into one seamless triumph; a suite entitled Changes in Great Masterpieces. The series involved Salvador Dalí interpreting five paintings by these great artists through a surrealistic lens. The results were five new masterpieces.
As the 70's drew to an end the output of Dalí's work slowed. The most
distinguished of his last prints would be The Portrait of Autumn,
Chevalier Surreliast, and The Bullfighter, which collectors today cherish as his brilliant final effort in graphics. After 50 years of producing almost 1,700 lithographs, etchings, engravings, and other mediums, Dalí finished this last chapter of his life with these three last prints. What is left is an intense art market as Dalí lovers drastically search for the remaining originally signed editions. Dalí enter the print making world in an effort to bringing his art into the homes of those that couldn't afford an original painting or drawing, now thousands of owners have the luxury of owning a piece of art history. We have seen a dramatic rise of interest in Dali lithographs in recent years. Every month we hear of auction results surpassing estimated selling prices. Just recently Dali originals have sold at record prices which have a direct impact on Dali lithographs.
Open any auction house, art magazine, go to any modern art website or gallery site and you will see Dali mentioned and Dali lithographs. These prints are have now firmly engrained themselves as a fundamental part of today's art market.
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