Lady Godiva
Print / Lithograph on heavy woven paper • After Salvador Dalí (Spanish, 1904–1989)
Style & Movement
Surrealism
Medium & Technique
Color lithograph after an original drawing, likely utilizing photomechanical reproduction techniques for mass distribution. Features printed signature and copyright marks.
Creation Period
Circa 1983 (date indicated by copyright margin)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 76 x 56 cm (20 x 30 inches); Portrait orientation
Subject Description
The image depicts the legend of Lady Godiva, a noblewoman who rode naked through Coventry. Dalí renders her with long, flowing golden hair that serves as her only covering, seated upon a skeletal, ethereal white horse. A small figure holding a cross stands in the lower right, and the composition uses characteristic Dalinian 'melting' forms and expressive, calligraphic line work.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. The paper exhibits some minor rippling and soft handling creases, common for unframed prints. The colors appear vibrant but there is a slight yellowing or toning of the paper consistent with age.
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $400 USD
Auction Estimate
$100 - $300 USD
Provenance History
Mass-produced open edition or limited commercial run. Indicated by the copyright '© BY S.P.A.D.E.M. 1983' and the printed title 'LADY GODIVA' in the bottom margins.
Art Historical Significance
This piece represents the late-career commercialization of Dalí's imagery. While 'Lady Godiva' is a recurring motif in his work (including a famous sculpture), these 1980s prints allowed his surrealist iconographies to reach a wider middle-market audience, though they lack the high-art status of his early unique oils.
Notable Features
Features a printed facsimile signature in the lower right; bottom left margin bears the '© BY S.P.A.D.E.M. 1983' mark, which refers to the French copyright society that managed Dalí's rights.
Condition Issues
Visible rippling of the paper support; minor edge wear and soft creases in the lower margin; potential light-toning if previously displayed without UV protection.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional mounting and framing using acid-free materials and UV-protective glass. Store flat in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight.