Adam and Eve (from the Hommage à Albrecht Dürer suite)
Print on paper, likely photolithograph with engraving or heliogravure • Salvador Dalí (Spanish, 1904–1989)
Style & Movement
Surrealism
Medium & Technique
Color lithography/photolithograph with color additions and drypoint engraving; characteristic of Dalí's late graphic editions
Creation Period
Circa 1971
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 30 x 22 inches (76 x 56 cm) sheet size; vertical portrait orientation
Subject Description
A surrealist reinterpretation of Albrecht Dürer's 'Adam and Eve'. The composition includes the biblical figures framed by architectural columns. They are partially obscured by oversized 'Dalinian' butterflies. An angel or Cupid-like figure appears in a sky-shaped locket at the top, accompanied by a yellow flower and molten organic shapes characteristic of the artist's dream-logic aesthetic.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the sheet appears flat, colors remain vibrant, and the margins show little to no foxing within the mat window
Estimated Market Value
$3,000 - $5,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$2,500 - $4,500 USD
Provenance History
Numbered 'I XXX/CL' (from an edition of 150 on Japon paper) and signed in pencil. Likely acquired through a commercial gallery specializing in 20th-century graphics
Art Historical Significance
This piece belongs to a suite dedicated to the Northern Renaissance master Albrecht Dürer, reflecting Dalí's late-career obsession with combining classical art history with his own paranoiac-critical method. It demonstrates the artist's dialogue with the old masters.
Notable Features
Features Dalí's distinctive pencil signature in the lower right and numbering in the lower left. The use of the Morpho butterfly as a modesty leaf is a hallmark of his 1970s graphic output.
Condition Issues
Possible light mat burn or slight yellowing of the paper edges (hidden under the mat). Minor reflections on the glazing indicate it is not currently under museum glass.
Conservation Recommendations
Ensure the work is mounted using acid-free, archival materials. Replace current glass with UV-protective museum glass to prevent fading of the blue and yellow pigments.