The Butterfly and the Beast (from the 'Biblia Sacra' or 'Divine Comedy' series influence)
Limited edition print on paper • Salvador Dalí (After)
Style & Movement
Surrealism
Medium & Technique
Color lithograph or photolithograph after an original work; likely offset lithography
Creation Period
Late 20th Century (circa 1960s-1970s)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 18 x 24 inches; Vertical Portrait format
Subject Description
A central surrealist composition featuring a large peacock-patterned butterfly, a standing nude female figure, and a serpent-like beast within a flaming heart-shaped aperture. The imagery explores themes of metamorphosis, temptation, and the subconscious typical of the artist's religious and mythological reinterpretations.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; visible matting and framing suggests preservation, though colors may be slightly muted due to light exposure.
Estimated Market Value
$400 - $800 USD
Auction Estimate
$300 - $600 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired from a commercial gallery or art distributor specializing in European Modernist prints. Contains a 'I XV/C' edition numbering (Hors Commerce) in the lower left.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the late-career proliferation of Dalí's imagery through graphic editions. While likely a posthumous or authorized reproduction rather than a hand-signed lifetime woodcut, it reflects his synthesis of Renaissance theology and Freudian surrealism.
Notable Features
Features the Roman numeral edition numbering 'I XV/C' which indicates a 'Hors Commerce' (Not for Commerce) print, often reserved for the artist or publisher.
Condition Issues
Slight discoloration of the paper margins; minor reflection artifacts from the glass suggest possible acidity in older mounting materials.
Conservation Recommendations
Remount using acid-free archival matting and UV-protective museum glass to prevent further fading of the pigments.