SOLD. Salvador Dali: Alchimie des Philosophes. 1975-1976. With 10 orig. illust. signed by Salvador Dali. 1975-1976. One of 225 copies.

849/1054

Alchimie des Philosophes. 2 text vols. + 10 original illustrations by Salvador Dali, in one large book case. Paris: Art et Valeur 1975–76. Elephant folio. 10 original illustrations by Salvador Dali made with a combination of lithography, serigraphy and copperplate engravings, printed on parchment. All signed and numbered individually by Dali (#156/225). All measure 77×57 cm. Housed individually in separate folders. A few of the semi-precious stone settings have been lost. The two text vols. have text in French and English, printed on handmade rag-paper. Illustrated with facsimile illustrations mounted on the pages. Loose leaves as issued, in folders. All housed in monumental elephant folio size book case in full morocco and vellum with design and (defect) mercury dial sculpture by Dali on the front.

“In this work Dalí combines the prints with ancient alchemy texts (in the Chinese, Hebrew, Arabian and other traditions), thereby setting up a dialogue that combines the artist's vision with the written word, revealing a complicity between the poetic and the pictorial. The texts show the way Dalí reflects on the great mysteries of existence, while the prints illustrate the texts, bringing a modern touch to the ancient with contemporary images.” Fundació Gala-Salvador Dali.

Auction

Paintings and photographs, 18 June 2014