Paradiso Canto XXVII St. Peter and Dante by Salvador Dali

The Italian government commissioned Dali to illustrate an edition of The Divine Comedy in honor of the 700th anniversary of the birth of the great Italian poet Dante Alighieri. While the choice of a Spanish artist to illustrate an Italian masterwork was controversial, Dali's surrealistic approach to the work was a perfect match. Ultimately, the criticism was too much and the Italian government cancelled its sponsorship of the project. However, Dali worked with a French publisher to complete the work in 1963. The publisher used xylographs (literally wood writing) a form of wood engraving to print images taken from original watercolors by Dali. 100 images were created--one for each Canto from Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The edition was 1000, so these are some of the most frequently seen of Dali's printed works. Very few complete editions remain, so the individual images are usually what is encountered. The printing was accomplished using 30 to 35 woodblocks for each image--each color printed individually. This is called decomposition. Some of the images have been issued in earlier incomplete versions called decomposition woodcuts. They provide insight into the printing process itself. These have been issued by the Salvador Dali Gallery each with a blind stamp on the verso and pencil signed by the gallery representative Bruce Hochman. This work is from Paradiso, the last volume of the Divine Comedy trilogy. It is Canto XXVII Dante and St. Peter. This decomposition shows Dante in blue with his back to the viewer. St. Peter towers over him with a stern gaze but more kindly face. There is a third figure behind St. Peter that is less distinct as this part of the image is incomplete. This decomposition is nearly complete, particularly Dante and St. Peter. This image is in pristine condition. The colors are sharp without fading. The sheet is full and is 10.5 x 13 inches. No other issues are evident. An interesting example of a Dali image as a work in progress.