Salvador Dalí

Michèle Broutta, Paris
Private Collection, Amsterdam (acquired from the above circa 1983)
The Eton Gallery, Eton
Private Collection, United Kingdom (acquired from the above circa 1993, sale: Sotheby's, London, 23rd June 2011, lot 321)
Purchased at the above sale by the present owner

Executed on cream card, not laid down and hinged to the mount in two places along the upper edge. There are some remnants of brown mounting tape on the reverse. There are two artist's pinholes to the upper extreme edge of the work. There are two very narrow bands of previous mount staining to the left, upper and right edges of the work, not visible when framed. The central and right collaged butterflies are slightly lifting from the sheet. The work is in overall good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

From 1947 to 1958 Serge Lifar served as ballet master of the Paris Opera and devoted himself to establishing its reputation as one of the best companies in the world. In 1954 he enlisted the renowned creative energy of Salvador Dalí to design his production of Les Vendangeurs and the present work is one of these remarkable studies.

Dalí’s Les Vendangeurs captures the essence of Lifar’s creative objective: dancers, whose supple bodies are finely articulated in ink, elegantly float around the stage, some literally elevated into the air in grace and majesty. Two elephants, one of Dalí’s most celebrated motifs, dominate the background: with elongated stork-like legs, the typically hefty creatures balance on the stage with poise and placidity. Butterflies are incorporated into the stage props and add to the euphoric sense of flight and levity. Dalí’s exquisite draftsmanship here enables him to create an extraordinary sense of space and depth while never losing the illusion of an enclosed stage.

The present work typifies Dalí’s sheer creative energy: the design is executed with sensitivity and delicacy, while maintaining the elements so celebrated in his oeuvre that have come to define him as a pioneer of Surrealism.