Artist: Salvador Dalí
Title: Anthony and Cleopatra
Medium: Color Engraving on BFK Rives
Image Size: 11" x 15.75"
Sheet Size: 17.75" x 22.25" (dry mounted)
Edition: 247/1000
Year: 1972
Inscription: Signed and numbered on bottom front in pencil
Documentation: Includes Gallery Certificate of Authenticity
This limited edition color engraving by Salvador Dalí, titled "Anthony and Cleopatra", presents the artist's interpretation of the famed historical figures through his distinctive surrealist approach. Dalí renders the pair with fluid linework and carefully placed color, emphasizing symbolism over literal representation. Cleopatra appears at the left in profile, crowned by an ornate emblem highlighted in gold. Opposite, Anthony is shown on horseback, his figure radiating outward in fine lines that merge human, animal, and celestial imagery. A stylized horizon with mountains and a crescent moon situates the composition in a dreamlike setting.
Dalí's treatment of the subject reduces narrative detail in favor of suggestion, distilling the drama of "Anthony and Cleopatra" into gestures, symbols, and compositional rhythm. The restrained palette enhances this effect, with accents of gold and green directing attention to focal points while the linear draftsmanship provides movement and structure. The result is a work that fuses myth, history, and Surrealist imagination into a single image.
Issued as part of a numbered edition of 1000, the hand signing and numbering on the bottom front affirm the engraving's authenticity and place within Dalí's recognized body of prints. Dali's "Anthony and Cleopatra" is presented as both a collectible edition and an enduring example of Dalí's exploration of timeless themes through Surrealist form.
About Salvador Dali
Salvador Dalí (1904–1989) remains one of the most recognized and influential figures in 20th-century art, celebrated for his imaginative vision, technical skill, and contribution to the Surrealist movement. Born in Figueres, Catalonia, Spain, Dalí displayed artistic talent from a young age, which led him to study at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando in Madrid. His early work reflects mastery of classical techniques, which he would later combine with a vivid, dreamlike imagination to develop the distinctive style that defined his career. Dalí's work is marked by meticulous draftsmanship, bold symbolism, and recurring motifs such as melting clocks, distorted landscapes, and enigmatic figures, creating a visual language that continues to resonate in popular culture and academic study alike.
Dalí's prestige as an artist is tied not only to his technical skill but also to his ability to challenge and expand conventional notions of reality and art. He became a central figure in the Surrealist movement during the 1920s and 1930s, collaborating with poets, filmmakers, and fellow visual artists. His work often explored themes of dreams, sexuality, science, and religion, blending psychological theory with fantastical imagery. Dalí's prominence extended beyond painting: he engaged in sculpture, film, photography, stage design, and writing, demonstrating a multidisciplinary approach that reinforced his status as an innovator. Notable collaborations include the 1929 film Un Chien Andalou with Luis Buñuel and projects with Alfred Hitchcock and Walt Disney, which showcased his ability to merge surrealist sensibilities with mass media.
The legacy of Salvador Dalí is preserved through numerous major institutions and collections worldwide. The Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres, which Dalí himself designed and curated, houses an extensive collection of his works, including paintings, sculptures, and installations, and serves as a testament to his enduring impact on contemporary art. Additional museums dedicated to Dalí include the Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, which features one of the largest collections of his paintings outside Europe, and the Dalí Universe in Montmartre, Paris, which focuses on his three-dimensional works and graphic arts. Prominent international collections, such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Reina Sofía Museum in Madrid, also include significant Dalí works, highlighting the global recognition of his artistic contributions.
Dalí's influence continues to extend across artistic disciplines, inspiring contemporary artists, designers, filmmakers, and writers. While his eccentric persona and flamboyant public behavior often captured as much attention as his art, his technical skill, imaginative vision, and innovative approach to the visual arts remain central to his enduring reputation. Today, Dalí is remembered as both a master of Surrealism and a broader cultural icon whose work challenges viewers to consider the boundaries of reality, imagination, and artistic expression.
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