by Zurellys Villegas
A collection of 10 lithographs signed by the Spanish painter Salvador Dalí (1904-1989) have been found in a garage in London, where they had been forgotten among dusty boxes and piles of objects for half a century.
The fascinating discovery occurred during a routine visit by Chris Kirkham, deputy associate director of the Hansons Richmond auction house, to evaluate works of art at a house in Berkeley Square, in the Mayfair neighborhood.
“It was an amazing find,” said Kirkham, detailing later that he was invited to “value some antiques in a client’s house. During the viewing, the seller took me into his garage and, lo and behold, this treasure trove of surrealist lithographs appeared – about 15 in total.”
Appealing to be impressed by the discovery, the antiques expert noted that “they had been hidden and forgotten for about 50 years. It was quite surreal. You never know what you are going to discover during a routine home visit,” Kirkham said.
“I think the fact that they had been dormant for so long has ensured that the colours are fresh and bearing Dali’s signature gives people a wonderful opportunity to own something that the great man touched,” the expert continued through a public statement from the auction house.
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Of these 15 prints, five pieces belong to the renowned French painter and sculptor Theo Tobiasse.
He also said that the lithographs “were rediscovered because the seller had been cleaning up. He is thinking of retiring and moving abroad, so these lithographs will finally see the light of day on auction.”
The owner of the collection, who wished to remain anonymous, had acquired the works in the 1970s with the intention of framing them for his home in Berkeley Square, but never got around to doing so.
These lithographs recently rediscovered in London, signed by Dalí himself, depict a mix of metaphorical and mythological scenes, reflecting the artist’s obsession with the fanciful and the fantastical. “Dalí and Tobiasse are highly valued and anything connected to them is highly sought after. These lithographs offer an inexpensive way of owning a signed print,” Kirkham said. “These lithographs offer an accessible way of owning a signed print.”
In addition, these lithographs appear to be in pristine condition, which experts say may have helped preserve the intensity of their original colours. This condition adds even more value to the set of works that will be auctioned, generating great expectations in the market.
The set of images is believed to have been purchased at that time for around 500 pounds (approximately 660 dollars), however, it is now estimated that each Dali print will greatly exceed that amount individually when they go on the market at the end of the month.
The lithographs will go on sale on September 30 by the auction house Hansons Richmond. This sale represents a unique opportunity for the community of collectors interested in acquiring quality art with the signature of one of the masters of surrealism.
https://x.com/HansonsUK/status/1829791419277447337.
Salvador Dalí, one of the most influential artists of the 20th century
Salvador Dalí was born on May 11, 1904 in Figueres, a city in Catalonia. He received his formal education in Fine Arts in Madrid, Spain. His involvement in the surrealist movement positions him as a key figure in contemporary art history. His works frequently feature red lobsters, melting clocks and fantastical figures that draw the lines between art and genius.
Dalí is one of the most prolific artists of the 20th century, known worldwide for his technical skill and bizarre imagery. His repertoire included paintings, sculptures, graphic art, animation, film, photography and fashion. This led to numerous collaborations with other audiovisual artists.
Today, the iconic painter’s influence remains strong, and his works continue to be sought after by collectors around the world. “Dalí is widely admired for his contributions to the surrealist movement,” Kirkham said after the unexpected and fascinating discovery.
Théo Tobiasse, a leading figure in contemporary art
Théo Tobiasse, a French painter and sculptor of Jewish origin, was born in Jaffa in 1927. Political instability in the region forced his family to go into exile in Paris in 1931, where the young Tobiasse trained himself as an artist.
His first exhibitions in the early 1960s marked the beginning of an upward trajectory, recognized with various awards. From then on, Tobiasse devoted himself entirely to artistic creation, exploring various techniques and themes that reflected his complex identity and his commitment to historical memory. He died in 2012.
With reports from hansonsauctioneers.co.uk
