ᐅ Le Cheval de course by Salvador Dalí (1970) | Print

Artwork information

Technique

Color lithograph on watermarked Arches wove paper

Date

1970

Dimensions

38 cm x 56 cm

Signature

Signed lower right

Proof(s) of authenticity

This work is listed as no. 1260 in Ralf Michler and Lutz W. Löpsinger’s authoritative catalogue raisonné of Salvador Dalí’s graphic works. This impression is hand-signed and inscribed EA (Artist’s Proof) on watermarked Arches wove paper.

State of conservation

Very good

Framing

Location

Paris, France

Description

Salvador Dalí (1904–1989), "Race Horse" from the series "Dalinian Horses". Original color lithograph on watermarked Arches wove paper, hand-signed in pencil lower right and inscribed EA (Artist’s Proof) in pencil lower left. This Artist’s Proof was produced in addition to the regular edition of 250 numbered impressions. Published by Carpentier / Waintrop and printed by Wolfensberger. The work is listed in Ralf Michler and Lutz W. Löpsinger’s catalogue raisonné of Salvador Dalí’s graphic works under no. 1260, p. 133.

In this composition of remarkable graphic freedom, Salvador Dalí reinterprets the theme of the race horse through his distinctive Surrealist vocabulary. The silhouettes of the horse and its rider are captured in a burst of movement through nervous black lines, elongated strokes, and vibrant splashes of color. Brilliant yellows, greens, blues, and touches of red heighten the sense of speed and imbue the scene with an almost electric energy.

Balancing the central image of the galloping horse are several dark foreground figures that appear to observe or accompany the action. The fragmentation of forms, overlapping planes, and gradual dissolution of the figures into color give the composition the dreamlike quality that is characteristic of Dalí’s artistic universe. The artist thus transcends a simple equestrian representation, transforming the horse into a symbol of momentum, power, and movement.

This lithograph belongs to the "Dalinian Horses" series, devoted to one of the recurring motifs of Dalí’s imagination. Measuring 38 × 56 cm, the sheet is presented in very good overall condition.

Provenance

French Private Collection

Bibliography

Michler, R. & Löpsinger, L., Salvador Dalí: Catalogue Raisonné of Prints II. Lithographs and Wood Engravings 1956–1980, Prestel-Verlag, Munich / New York, 1995, n° 1260, p. 133

The artist

Painter

Drawer

Sculptor

Salvador Dalí

Famous artist

Painter

Drawer

Sculptor

Born in 1904

Spain

Bio

Salvador Dalí, the undisputed master of surrealism, left an indelible mark on the art world of the 20th century. Born on May 11, 1904 in Figueras in Catalonia, Dalí quickly stood out for his boundless imagination, his distinctive style and his captivating eccentricity.

From a young age, Salvador Dalí showed exceptional talent for art. He studied at the San Fernando Royal School of Fine Arts in Madrid, where he became friends with the emerging surrealist movement. His rebellious spirit and unconventional approach to art made him one of the most provocative figures of this movement.

Dalí is best known for his iconic works such as The Persistence of Memory, where soft watches symbolize the relativity of time. His distinct surrealist style, characterized by dreamlike images, strange juxtapositions and exceptional technical precision, helped redefine the limits of artistic imagination.

Dalí's art was not limited to painting; he also explored sculpture, photography, fashion, cinema and advertising. His eccentric personality, with his famous fanged mustache, added a theatrical dimension to his public image.

Dalí was also influenced by artistic movements such as Cubism, Dadaism and Classicism, creating a unique fusion of traditional and contemporary elements in his work. His fascination with psychoanalysis, particularly the theories of Sigmund Freud, also profoundly influenced his art.

Beyond his artistic genius, Salvador Dalí was a flamboyant character in daily life. His collaboration with other renowned artists such as Luis Buñuel and Pablo Picasso left a lasting cultural legacy.

Salvador Dalí died on January 23, 1989, but his influence persists in the contemporary art world. His innovative spirit and artistic legacy continue to inspire new generations, making him an immortal icon of surrealism and unbridled creativity.