Dante and Virgil in Hell (from the Divine Comedy Series)
Watercolor and gouache on paper, print or mixed media illustration • Attributed to Salvador Dalí (or studio/publisher after Dalí)
Style & Movement
Surrealism
Medium & Technique
Watercolor, gouache, and graphite/colored pencil on paper, utilizing fluid washes and delicate linework
Creation Period
Circa 1950-1960
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 10 x 7 inches (visible sheet), vertical portrait format
Subject Description
The composition depicts two robed figures, recognizable as Dante (in orange-red robes with a laurel wreath) and Virgil, rendered in Dalí's characteristic flowing, ethereal style, referencing the Divine Comedy iconography.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. Paper appears clean with vibrant colors and minimal fading, though examination is limited by glass framing.
Estimated Market Value
1000 - 3000 USD
Auction Estimate
800 - 1500 USD
Provenance History
Likely part of the famed Divine Comedy water-color illustration commission originally commissioned by the Italian government in the 1950s, later widely published as prints.
Art Historical Significance
Salvador Dalí's illustrations for Dante's Divine Comedy represent a major milestone in his later graphic and illustrative oeuvre, blending classical literary themes with his surrealist vision.
Notable Features
Features a distinctive Dalí signature in a red cartouche box at the lower center, typical of his graphic and signed illustrative works.
Condition Issues
Potential light toning of the paper, possible reflection and dust under the glass, unexamined outside of the frame.
Conservation Recommendations
Keep away from direct sunlight to prevent fading of watercolors. Ensure archival framing with UV-protective glass and acid-free matting.