Salvador Dalí – The Song of Songs of King Solomon
Léon Amiel, Paris – New York, 1971
Rare Deluxe Edition on Mother-of-Pearl Japan Paper
Copy XXIX / XLIV (29 of only 44 issued)
Large folio format: approx. 590 x 400 mm
Offered for sale is one of the most desirable and luxurious illustrated portfolios created by Salvador Dalí during the mature period of his graphic oeuvre: The Song of Songs of King Solomon, published by Léon Amiel in Paris and New York in 1971.
This monumental publication presents Dalí’s visionary and highly personal interpretation of the biblical Song of Songs, transforming the poetic text into a sequence of sensual, mystical and unmistakably surreal compositions. Rich in symbolism, spiritual eroticism and dreamlike invention, the series stands among the most celebrated late deluxe book projects associated with the artist.
The present example is the exact copy numbered XXIX, from the exceptionally small deluxe limitation of only 44 copies printed on Japon Nacré (Mother-of-Pearl Japan Paper). This luxurious paper, chosen for the finest impressions, is distinguished by its soft texture, luminous surface and subtle pearlescent character, far superior to the standard Arches paper edition.
Most importantly, the portfolio contains the complete suite of 12 original etchings, and each of the 12 plates is individually hand-signed in pencil by Salvador Dalí. This feature alone places the work in a highly collectible category, as individually signed complete suites are consistently sought after by advanced collectors and institutions.
Each engraving is additionally:
hand-colored
hand-embellished with gold
issued hors-texte
printed on full large sheets
preserved in impressive folio dimensions of approximately 590 x 400 mm
Because of the hand-coloring and manual gilding, every deluxe set possesses slight individual variations, making each surviving example subtly unique.
This copy is complete with:
original title page
original justification page bearing the number XXIX
full English text
the complete set of 12 original signed etchings
original blue linen-covered boards
original matching slipcase with applied medallion
Full Edition Breakdown
6 copies on parchment, numbered I–VI
44 deluxe copies on Japan Paper, numbered VII–L
250 copies on Arches paper
20 H.C. copies lettered A–T, reserved for the artist and associates
Accordingly, this example belongs to one of the rarest commercial issues of the publication.
Catalogue Reference
Listed in the standard Dalí graphic catalogue raisonné:
Michler & Löpsinger 468–479
