Dalí Artwork Sells For Thousands

From Humble Find to Fortune: Lost Dalí Artwork Unearthed in Cambridge

A genuine artwork by Salvador Dalí, the Spanish Surrealist, acquired for the modest sum of £150, is now poised to command a price near £30,000. This piece was discovered inside a Cambridge residence, and its authenticity has now been confirmed. A buyer, who has chosen to remain anonymous, secured the mixed-media work during a house clearance. The piece will be presented to bidders during an October auction. This stunning turn of events has sparked considerable excitement within art circles, underscoring the fact that remarkable treasures can surface in the most ordinary settings.

A Fortuitous Discovery

The story started in 2023 at a house clearance event in Cambridge. An art dealer, preferring to stay out of the spotlight, was present and came across the piece. The painting's distinctive style captured the dealer's interest, prompting a decision to purchase it despite the low price. This was a move based on years of professional experience and a solid grasp of art history. The work was later identified as Vecchio Sultano, meaning "Old Sultan." The dealer’s sharp eye proved to be correct, culminating in a major finding for the art world.

The Expert’s Eye

At the Cheffins auction house, associate Gabrielle Downie highlighted the deep significance of the find. She described handling a rediscovered piece from an artist of global renown, and a founder of Surrealism, as a profound privilege. Upon acquiring the painting, the art dealer subsequently uncovered proof of its previous appearance within a Sotheby's auction catalogue in the 1990s, where it was fully credited to Dalí. That the painting's attribution was misplaced and then re-established makes this event especially important for Dalí academics.

An Unusual Creation

Ms Downie observed that while the creations of Dalí are frequently distinctive, Vecchio Sultano provides a look at another side of his artistic methods. Executed using watercolour and felt-tip pen, the work features a medium less commonly associated with the artist, demonstrating his adaptability. The piece is 38cm by 29cm and depicts a scene inspired by The Arabian Nights, a famous anthology of tales from the Middle East. The rendering of a sultan adorned with a large, jewelled turban is done in a style that differs from Dalí's more famous surrealist scenes but possesses its own clear energy.

The Ambitious Commission

This painting originated from a significant commission in the 1960s. The affluent Italian patrons, Giuseppe and Mara Albaretto, had contracted Dalí for a planned set of 500 illustrations based on stories from The Arabian Nights. The couple first approached the artist in 1963 to create illustrations for a bible. However, following the artist's own persuasion, the project shifted focus to the folk tales of the Middle East, a topic that greatly sparked his interest. Dalí's keenness for this theme was likely intensified by his fascination with Moorish history and a personal conviction that he had Moorish ancestors.

The Albaretto Connection

More than simple patrons, Giuseppe and Mara Albaretto were regarded by many as Dalí's "Italian Family." Their close friendship, starting in the mid-1950s, led to what became Europe's most extensive private collection of original Dalí works. The Albarettos were not just passionate collectors; they also played a key role as publishers of his lithographs and etchings. The bond was further solidified by Dalí being the godfather to their daughter, Christina. This connection laid the groundwork for several of Dalí's most important commissioned projects.

An Unfinished Saga

Despite the vast scope of The Arabian Nights project, of the 500 projected illustrations, Dalí only brought 100 to completion before the work ceased. The specific reasons for stopping the project remain unknown, but the 100 completed works were split. The Rizzoli publishing house received fifty of the pieces for a planned book. Regrettably, over the years, many of these were ultimately lost or suffered damage, making any surviving examples from this portion incredibly scarce. The other fifty artworks were kept by the Albaretto family.

Tracing the Origins

Ms Downie believes it is highly probable that Vecchio Sultano originates from the group of fifty illustrations that the publishing firm held and later misplaced. The fifty works that the Albarettos kept were in time inherited by Christina, their daughter. In 2016, the Folio Society published these pieces, reviving interest in the almost-forgotten project and creating curiosity about the destiny of the missing illustrations. The re-emergence of Vecchio Sultano adds a fresh page to the history of this captivating, unfinished series.

The Path to Verification

Authenticating a potential work by such a prominent artist is a rigorous procedure that demands world-class knowledge. For this purpose, the painting was shown to Nicolas Descharnes, a top expert on Salvador Dalí. Mr. Descharnes, who continues the work of his late father, Robert, is recognised internationally for his capacity to formally authenticate the artist's creations. This process includes a range of methods, such as infrared imaging, pigment examination, and in-depth archival investigation to confirm an artwork's history.

The Expert's Confirmation

Following a detailed review, Nicolas Descharnes confirmed the painting was a genuine Salvador Dalí. This validation was a critical juncture, elevating the £150 acquisition into a notable art market event. The authentication often involves checking against catalogues raisonnés, which are exhaustive lists of an artist's known creations. For example, the book "Dalí: The Hard and the Soft, Sculptures & Objects," which he co-wrote, is the definitive reference for Dalí's sculptures. The positive identification by Descharnes supplied the necessary proof for the piece to head to auction.

A History of Disappearing

The story of Vecchio Sultano is a remarkable narrative of being lost and found. The dealer who acquired the piece was first drawn by a sense of curiosity. A closer look revealed stickers on the frame's back, pointing to its history with the Sotheby's auction house in the 1990s. This finding led to more research, and the dealer located the original auction catalogue, confirming the painting had been sold as a legitimate Dalí. At that sale, the artwork carried an estimated value between £8,000 and £12,000, but it did not ultimately sell.

The Heart of Surrealism

Salvador Dalí is a key personality in the Surrealist movement, which started in Europe following the First World War. Surrealism aimed to tap into the unconscious mind, questioning logic and the everyday world. Drawing from Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic ideas, its artists sought to show thought's true function by avoiding rational control. This led to art filled with dream-like imagery and startling combinations. With his flamboyant character and brilliant skill, Dalí emerged as the most prominent figure of this groundbreaking art philosophy.

 Image Credit - The Art Story

Dalí's Enduring Influence

Born in 1904 in Figueres, Catalonia, Salvador Dalí's artistic gifts showed early. He explored many styles before rising as a key figure in the Paris Surrealist circle. His best-known painting, The Persistence of Memory, featuring its famed melting clocks, now represents the movement. Throughout a lengthy career, Dalí's creativity went beyond the canvas into sculpture, cinema, photography, and apparel. His genius and eccentric nature kept him in the public consciousness, and his impact is still seen today in art and mass culture.

The Auction House

The sale of Vecchio Sultano will be overseen by Cheffins, a Cambridgeshire auctioneer with roots going back to 1825. While famous for holding the largest monthly machinery sale in Europe, Cheffins also maintains a respected Fine Art department. The company holds many specialist auctions annually, with items ranging from classic furniture to modern art. The sale, set for October 23rd, will present this rediscovered Dalí before an international audience of collectors, where a final sale price is anticipated to be between £20,000 and £30,000.

A Market for Genius

The market for Salvador Dalí's art is consistently strong, with significant works achieving millions at auction. While Vecchio Sultano is a more personal, smaller-scale work, its fascinating backstory greatly enhances its attractiveness. The thrill of finding a master's lost piece, coupled with the tale of its low-cost acquisition, builds a compelling story that engages both expert collectors and the wider public. The estimated sale price is a reflection of the artwork's quality and the unique story of its return after being missing for decades.

The Thrill of the Chase

The tale of Vecchio Sultano serves as a tribute to the persistent chance of discovering treasures where least expected. House sales, flea markets, and minor local auctions can occasionally produce amazing finds, rewarding individuals with a trained eye and a readiness to take a risk. For the unnamed dealer, a £150 gamble led to a discovery of immense importance. This account is an encouragement for art enthusiasts everywhere, reminding them that the next great lost work could be hiding in plain view, simply awaiting someone to see its real value. The art world will be paying close attention when the hammer falls in October.