The Phoenix (L'Oiseau Phénix)
Original Color Lithograph on Arches paper • Salvador Dalí (Spanish, 1904-1989)
Style & Movement
Surrealism
Medium & Technique
Lithography with hand-drawn calligraphic elements; features vibrant washes of color and fine-line ink work
Creation Period
1979
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 75 x 55 cm (sheet size); Portrait format
Subject Description
A central avian figure representing a phoenix rising in a burst of red, orange, and yellow. It includes iconic Dalinean motifs: a winged figure in flight (likely an angel or Eros), a seated winged figure in contemplation, and small silhouetted figures on a perspectival line. The composition features Dalí's late-period signature with a crown and the year 1979.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good (Grade B); visible horizontal crease/fold line through the center of the sheet consistent with original production or improper storage.
Estimated Market Value
$3,000 - $5,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$2,000 - $4,000 USD
Provenance History
Numbered 55/125 in the lower left. Likely acquired through a gallery or estate auction; part of a limited edition run produced by Dalí's later workshops.
Art Historical Significance
A representative example of Dalí's late graphic work, blending traditional mythology with his personal symbolic vocabulary. It illustrates his ongoing obsession with immortality and rebirth.
Notable Features
Includes a large, bold 'Dali' signature with a crown in the center and a secondary graphite signature at the bottom right; edition numbered 55/125; distinct watercolor-like bleeds in the lithographic inks.
Condition Issues
Prominent horizontal center fold/crease; slight toning of the paper; potential minor fading due to light exposure; edges partially obscured by the matting.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional flattening to reduce the appearance of the center crease; ensure the use of UV-filtering museum glass and acid-free archival matting to prevent further yellowing.