Latest news with #SalvadorDalí
The Independent
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Eagle-eyed buyer snaps up £30k Dalí painting for £150 at house clearance sale
A Salvador Dalí painting, initially acquired for a mere £150 at a house clearance sale, has been authenticated as an original and is now valued at up to £30,000. The mixed media piece was purchased by an anonymous art dealer. They later discovered it had been previously offered for sale at Sotheby's in the 1990s, fully attributed to Dalí. The artwork is set to be auctioned by Cambridgeshire auctioneers Cheffins on 23 October. Gabrielle Downie, an associate at Cheffins, said the loss of an attribution is 'quite rare in the modern art world', making it a 'significant' rediscovery. 'To handle a genuine rediscovery of a work by who is easily one of the most famous artists in the world, and the godfather of Surrealism, is a real honour.' Having the painting authenticated again was an 'exciting process', she said. Vecchio Sultano by Salvador Dalí is to be offered for sale by Cheffins auctioneers with an estimate of £20,000 to £30,000 'It is a testament to the sellers' significant art knowledge that he was able to spot this picture at a house clearance sale. 'While Dalí's work is often some of the most recognisable, this is an unusual piece which shows a different side to his practice when working in watercolour.' The artwork, titled Vecchio Sultano , was discovered in a Cambridge-based house clearance sale in 2023. It has been certified as authentic by Dalí expert Nicolas Descharnes and has a pre-sale estimate of £20,000 to £30,000. The image, made with watercolour paint and felt tip, measures 38cm by 29cm. It is an illustration of a scene from The Arabian Nights , a series of 500 pieces which Dali intended to create of Middle Eastern folktales, which was commissioned by wealthy Italian couple Giuseppe and Mara Albaretto. The painting has been certified as authentic by Dalí expert Nicolas Descharnes Ms Downie said: 'The Albarettos who commissioned this work had initially asked Dalí to illustrate a bible in 1963, but upon Dalí's insistence, he instead ended up illustrating scenes from 1,001 Nights – a collection of Middle Eastern folktales. 'It seems Dalí was fascinated with Moorish culture and believed himself to be from a Moorish line. 'It seems that this project was abandoned, with Dalí only having completed 100 of the intended 500 works. 'Of these 100, half remained with the publishing house Rizzoli and were either damaged or lost; the other 50 stayed with the Albarettos and were later inherited by their daughter, Christina, who was also Dalí's goddaughter. 'It is the 50 that were retained by the family that were published in 2016 by the Folio Society. 'I think, given that Dalí engineered the commission to suit his whims, that he very much enjoyed this project and the subject matter. 'It is most likely that the work in question came from the batch of 50 which were retained and later lost by the publishers.'
The Guardian
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Salvador Dalí painting bought for £150 at house clearance sale valued at £20-30,000
It is not a painting that screams it is a masterpiece by Salvador Dalí to the untrained eye. So when the unusual picture went up for auction in a house clearance sale in Cambridge two years ago, it attracted just two bidders – and sold for £150. Now, it has been valued at £20,000 to £30,000 after it was confirmed to be an illustration of an 'old sultan' that Dalí painted in 1966. Vecchio Sultano, a mixed media artwork made with watercolour paint and felt-tip, is an illustration of a scene from The Arabian Nights – one of 500 illustrations which the great surrealist artist intended to create of the Middle Eastern folktales. 'Dalí was quite obsessed with Moorish culture and believed himself to be from a Moorish line,' said Gabrielle Downie, a fine art specialist at Cheffins in Cambridge, which is selling the Dalí artwork on 23 October. Dalí's patrons, Giuseppe and Mara Albaretto, commissioned the illustrations and Rizzoli, an Italian publishing house, was planning to publish them. But Dalí abandoned the project after completing just 100 of the 500 illustrations – leaving all of them unpublished. 'Of these 100 illustrations, half remained with the publishing house Rizzoli and were either damaged or lost, while the other 50 stayed with the Albarettos and were later inherited by their daughter, Christina – who was also Dalí's goddaughter,' said Downie. The 50 illustrations retained by the Albaretto family were finally published in 2014, reigniting interest in the abandoned project and raising intrigue over the whereabouts of the unpublished pieces. However, Cambridge-based antiques dealer John Russell (not his real name), 60, was unaware of this two years ago when he snapped up Vecchio Sultano at a house clearance sale after spotting Dalí's signature in the bottom right corner. 'The auction isn't online, so you turn up, view, and whatever you see, [that] is your chance to discover a treasure,' he said. 'Most of the time, I buy stuff that I like. On this occasion, I was really taking a bit of a punt, because I wasn't sure I'd have it on the wall, to be honest … I do like some unusual art, but you'd have to love it, wouldn't you?' He was told the painting had been found in the garage of a London house and could barely contain his excitement when he saw stickers on the back, indicating it had been listed in a Sotheby's auction in the 1990s. 'I did a little bit of research and I couldn't believe what I was looking at.' He decided to bid for it 'on the spur of the moment', gambling on his ability to spot a fake after spending years avidly watching the BBC TV show Fake or Fortune. 'It's one of my favourite programmes.' The painting, which depicts a bejewelled sultan, did not command widespread admiration: despite being described as an original painting by Dalí, the vendors 'hadn't even listed it with a reserve [price]', he said, and 'there was no interest in the room' from other dealers Russell knew. Just one person bid against him during the auction – and dropped out when Russell offered £150. A few months later, via eBay in the US, he tracked down the relevant Sotheby's sale catalogue which listed the 38cm x 29cm painting and demonstrated it had been previously identified as Dalí's work and asked Cheffins to value it. Cheffins then consulted the renowned Dalí expert Nicolas Descharnes, who certified the painting as authentic. He told the Guardian the style, subject and colours of the illustration matched those of other pieces in the series, along with the quality and size of the paper. 'People expect to see very surrealist pieces by Dalí. This one is not surrealist, but it's a Dalí,' Descharnes said.
Irish Examiner
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Dalí décor: Create home of your dreams with the surrealist interior design trend
Just when we might have thought maximalism couldn't take us anywhere more extravagant, along comes the for surrealist interiors with its liberal distribution of curios and the feeling you might have woken up on the set of a Wes Anderson film. Think Grand Budapest Hotel with its whimsical Belle Époque buildings and its colour palette of soft pastels and bold reds and purples, and plenty of curated clutter added in. La Doce Vitabailey 12-light pendant chandelier; €2,235.93, Modern surrealist interiors are more liveable than that, although the look lends itself better to larger spaces. But even in smaller rooms, it can make its presence felt, even if it's just a poster of Salvador Dalí's Lobster Telephone (€29.90, Etsy). Walls are always a good place to start, and what we hang on them puts the final touches to our interior design efforts. For high surrealist drama, try coming face-to-face with the Mona Lisa of interiors, Italian operatic soprano Lina Cavalieri, whose gaze fascinated Piero Fornasetti, founder of the luxury design company, who made it the motif for his wall plates. It's a collection of eight, which will set you back by the princely sum of €2,000 to bedeck your walls or use as a decorative element in tablescaping. Rockett St George's Striped Lips sofa inspired by Salvador Dali's original design; €905. When Palm Beach-based interior designer Jonathan Adler, who has a surrealist theme running through much of his homewares, was designing his Druggist porcelain tableware, he said that wherever he looked, he wanted to see eyes looking back at him. You'll see exactly what he means if you raise one of his elegant blue and white cups to your lips and find yourself eye-balling a bright blue peeper. It's a strange mix of beauty and slight discomfort, but, hey, welcome to surrealism. Quirky enough to create a conversational buzz without going too far, pieces start at £20, with an individual place setting consisting of dinner plate, dessert plate, soup bowl and cup and saucer costing £132. The Kensington, London shop is happy to quote in euro and help with shipping, or make a flying visit and browse in person some subtle surrealist-inspired textiles and accessories. Kukoon's Zebra print stairs runner makes a statement in a hallway; from €4.20 per foot. Parisian fabric house Pierre Frey has always produced designs on the arty side, so when they teamed up with interior designer Ken Fulk, who has bedecked the interiors of homes for the likes of Pharrell Williams and Gigi Hadid, the Surreal World Collection was the result. It's pared-back surrealism in a grey cotton velvet, which on close inspection is sketched with faces inspired by Salvador Dalí's 1941 Rothschild masked ball at the Hotel Del Monte in California. You really can't escape Dalí's influence if you embrace this trend, nor can you escape faces and parts thereof. Lips are also a theme. Design buffs will know Dalí's original red sofa design was inspired by the lips of Hollywood siren Mae West. Rockett St George's Striped Lips sofa is a variation on the theme of this boudoir-friendly seat, although they've given it a contemporary twist with monochrome upholstery featuring black diagonal bands, €905. Jonathan Adler's Druggist tableware citing the eye motif synonymous with surrealist art. Overhead, lighting takes on the surrealist's pastels with the La Doce Vitabailey 12 light pendant chandelier; €2,235.93, from Admittedly, it can be pricey, high-end stuff, but there are wallet-friendly options to explore, especially when it comes to another surrealist theme: Animals. Kukoon Rugs has a stair runner in a zebra print, €21 per five-metre run, and a rug version, €60. Creatures serving no purpose except to be looked at include the Deco gold gorilla ornament, €159, from EZ Living Interiors, which could be added to a coffee table and herded with their Origami black elephant statue, €49, and a wooden ram's head on a plinth, €119. Rams are a symbol of courage, and you might just need some for this trend, especially if you buy into the sartorial end. Ken Fulk's Surrealist Ball fabric for Pierre Frey; €218.37 (ex Vat) per metre. Serviceable footwear company Birkenstock eyed up an opportunity to collaborate with fashion brand Opening Ceremony to celebrate the surrealist art of René Magritte. Taking his Le Faux Miroir as inspiration, they've applied a staring, heavily lashed eye to the Boston clog. The Irish Museum of Modern Art and Cork's Vibes & Scribes sell the Sole-Adore Dalí socks with a cartoonish rendition of the artist's face positioned just above the ankle; €10.50. Add a pair to the Birkenstocks for the socks-and-sandals look beloved of dads everywhere.
Hype Malaysia
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Piaget Shapes Of Extraleganza Unveils A New Playful High Jewellery Collection
Shapes of Extraleganza explores the bold, transformative, and playful elegance that defines Piaget's iconic aesthetic. As the second chapter in a trilogy—following Essence of Extraleganza—this collection dives into the brand's creative heritage from the 1960s and '70s, reimagining and elevating its original concepts. It pushes the boundaries of design and craftsmanship, revives the spirit of innovation, and reaffirms the Maison's legacy of fearless creativity. This collection also celebrates Piaget's deep ties to the art world, honouring its historic collaborations with legendary figures like Salvador Dalí, Arman, and collector Andy Warhol. These partnerships were a natural extension of Yves Piaget's close friendships with artists and cultural icons of the era—an elite circle known as the Piaget Society. The 2025 High Jewellery collection from the Extraleganza series delves into Piaget's rich legacy, blending innovation with nostalgic charm. Shapes of Extraleganza is an artistic exploration of form, colour, texture, light, and volume—an elegant evolution of Piaget's signature energetic play with shapes. Each jewellery suite presents a unique artistic narrative, seamlessly merging past and present, tradition and modernity, all infused with Piaget's signature flair for the unexpected and visionary. Exceptional gemstones are chosen not just for their rarity and beauty, but for how they elevate each collection's artistic intent. In the Wave Illusion suite, vivid red and orangy-pink spinels take the spotlight, channelling the vibrant colours, playful geometry, and joyful spirit of the 1980s Memphis movement. Today, Shapes of Extraleganza radiates with the same vibrant energy and excitement, embracing the avant-garde with confidence. The collection features boldly modern and culturally resonant pieces, poised to make their mark in the worlds of contemporary art and design. Alyssa Gabrielle contributed to this article
Elle
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Elle
How to Make the Most of Saturn and Neptune's Wild Retrogrades
It's officially July's retrograde season, as the outer planets—Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto—all begin shifting into reverse. To be honest, this isn't a rare occurrence. These slow-moving planets turn retrograde annually for four to five months. But there is something special catching astrologers' attention in 2025. For the first time since the early 1700s, Saturn and Neptune are teamed up in fiery, trailblazing Aries. And that's not all—both planets will spend the summer portion of their retrograde in Aries, then slip back into Pisces this fall. Saturn and Neptune are the ultimate odd couple. Stern, structured Saturn is the boundary-hound of the solar system. Like a taskmaster, it keeps us running on time, sticking to a rigid schedule. This is also the planet associated with adulting. Your Saturn return, which happens around age 29, is an astrological rite of passage that's all about maturing into your grown-up self. Spiritual Neptune, on the other hand, is fluid and esoteric. As the planet of illusions and the subconscious, Neptune's sense of time is a lot like Salvador Dalí's clock melting away. Neptune helps you get into a meditative flow state, where your grasp on reality is slippery. So how can you turn this cosmic duet into some personal magic? By putting structure (Saturn) behind your dreams (Neptune). While these planets are retrograde, we have a chance to roll up our sleeves and do the behind-the-scenes work. Neptune's U-turn began in Aries on July 4 and slips back through Pisces from October 22 to December 10. Saturn turns retrograde in Aries on July 13, then retreats through Pisces from September 1 to November 27. Aries, the first sign of the zodiac, portends new beginnings. Pisces, the very last sign of the zodiac, is all about endings and transitions. Planets in Aries push for progress, but Pisces planets pull us into the fog, making it hard to see what's ahead. Combative Aries can whip up war, aggression, and domineering behavior. Compassionate Pisces can create victimization, mirages, and sacrifice. Yes, this will make for more confusion in 2025. (As if we haven't had enough already!) So go easy on yourself if you're feeling a bit lost at sea. There are so many important causes to support, yet time feels like it's moving so fast. We aren't sure whether to fight (Aries) or take flight (Pisces). Feelings of overwhelm may periodically come over us until next February when Saturn and Neptune reunite, post-retrograde, for longer cycles in Aries. (Neptune from Jan. 26, 2026, to March 23, 2039, and Saturn from Feb. 13, 2026, to April 12, 2028.) There are plenty of other options besides throwing our hands up in collective frustration until 2026. But we have to accept that, astrologically, we could feel suspended between two worlds, forced to sit through a period of deep uncertainty. On a personal level, anything we can do to stay grounded is wise. Dream big, but build your scaffolding. Make your vision board—then draft the spreadsheet. Meditate, but also set deadlines. This is the sweet spot where magic becomes material, and your wildest ideas get a place to land. Every retrograde brings a reminder that we can't rush the process. Sometimes the universe needs us to pause, reflect, and recalibrate. Maybe you're not lost—you're just rerouting toward something truer. And when the pieces fall into place (and they will), you'll know exactly how to anchor your dreams in the real world. Don't miss the moment! Saturn and Neptune only meet up in the zodiac roughly every 36 years. The last time was 1989, the year the iconic Taylor Swift was born. Like the Sagittarius mogul, we can work the very different gears of empathic Neptune and business-minded Saturn to achieve our biggest goals.
