Lot 325
  • 325

Salvador Dalí

Estimate
100,000 - 150,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Salvador Dalí
  • Argos
  • signed Dalí and dated 1970 (lower left)
  • oil, gouache, watercolour, coloured crayons and pen and ink on paper
  • 45 by 38cm., 17 3/4 by 15in.

Provenance

Private Collection, Europe (acquired directly from the artist)
Private Collection, Europe (by descent from the above; sale: Christie's, London, 5th February 2015, lot 253)
Purchased at the above sale by the present owner

Exhibited

Augsburg, Römisches Museum, Dalí, Mara e Beppe, Bilder einer Freundschaft, 2000

Condition

Executed on cream wove paper, not laid down and taped to the overmount along all four edges of the verso. The upper and right edges are deckled. There are fine lines of paint shrinkage to the areas of most thickly-applied pigment. There are two losses to the innermost circular areas of impasto at the upper part of the left edge and another to the lowermost area. This 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."

Catalogue Note

Executed in 1970, Argos forms part of a series of works Dalí completed illustrating episodes from Homer’s Odyssey. The epic narrative poem charts Odysseus’ adventures as he struggles to return home after the Trojan War, a voyage which takes ten years to complete. As he is finally nearing his journey’s end, Odysseus becomes aware that his wife Penelope is being besieged by a multitude of determined suitors, all of whom would welcome his death in order to further their own ends. In order to enter his home unrecognised, Odysseus disguises himself as a beggar, so successfully that it is only Argos – his faithful dog – who recognises him. Having waited twenty years in order to see his master again, Argos expires only moments afterwards, content to have been able to welcome his master home one final time in the ultimate gesture of loyalty and devotion.