Salvador Dalí (1904–1989)
Original Drawing in “Les Vins de Gala”
Paris: Draeger-Vilo Éditeur, 1977
Description of the Work
An original full-page drawing executed in blue ballpoint pen by Salvador Dalí on the edition page of Les Vins de Gala (Draeger-Vilo, Paris, 1977).
The composition depicts a standing nude couple in close embrace, rendered in Dalí’s late linear style: fluid contour lines, abbreviated anatomical articulation, and expressive calligraphic movement. The figures are lightly but confidently constructed, with particular emphasis on curvature and sensual volume, typical of Dalí’s spontaneous book drawings from the 1970s.
The drawing occupies the entire page and is executed directly over the printed edition statement.
Inscribed and dedicated in French:
“Pour Roucaute mon Docteur et Ami avec reconnaissance”
Signed boldly at upper right
Dated lower left: “Dalí / 1977”
Medium: Blue ballpoint pen on book page
Dimensions: approx. 30 × 21.4 cm
Support: Edition page of Les Vins de Gala
The Book
Les Vins de Gala
Publisher: Draeger-Vilo Éditeur
Paris, 1977
Original publisher’s cloth binding under stamped dust jacket
This publication is one of Dalí’s most iconic gastronomic-surrealist books, combining text, wine commentary, and elaborate imagery celebrating sensuality, ritual, and decadence.
Certificates & Authentication
The work is accompanied by two independent certificates, each significant in its own right:
1️⃣ Certificate by Olivier Devers
Expert Member of the SLAM
(Syndicat National de la Librairie Ancienne et Moderne, France)
Issued by:
Monsieur Olivier Devers
Librairie Olivier Devers
Member of SLAM (recognized professional association of rare book dealers in France)
The certificate formally states that the reproduced work is an authentic work by Salvador Dalí.
It documents:
Medium (blue ballpoint pen)
Location of drawing (edition page)
Inscription and dedication
Date (1977)
Sale history reference (Hotel Marcel Dassault, Paris, 13 May 2014)
This certificate establishes professional bookseller authentication and recorded sale history.
2️⃣ Certificate by Archives Descharnes
Issued by:
Nicolas R. Descharnes
Olivier M. Descharnes
Archives Descharnes
Reference number: d5770
Dated: 31 January 2017
The Descharnes Archives represent the most authoritative scholarly archive on Salvador Dalí’s work. Nicolas Descharnes was the son of Robert Descharnes, Dalí’s close associate and biographer.
The certificate explicitly states:
“Selon mon opinion et ma connaissance de l'œuvre… est bien de la main de Salvador Dalí Domenech.”
It confirms:
Authentic execution by Dalí
Description of subject (Couple)
Location within the book
Signature placement
Date inscription
Archival reference number
It also specifies that no further original certificate will be issued, indicating definitive archival registration.
Artistic Analysis
This drawing belongs to Dalí’s late period (mid-1970s), characterized by:
Spontaneous pen work
Erotic and classical figuration
Fluid, confident contour lines
Minimal shading, maximum gesture
The nude couple motif echoes Dalí’s ongoing exploration of eroticism, duality, and bodily transformation, themes deeply embedded in Les Vins de Gala, a book devoted to sensual pleasure and ritual.
Unlike printed plates from the volume, this is an original hand-executed drawing, unique and non-reproducible.
Provenance
Originally dedicated to “Roucaute” (Dalí’s doctor and friend)
Sold at auction, Paris, Hôtel Marcel Dassault, 13 May 2014
Later registered with Archives Descharnes
Accompanied by dual certification
Market Position (Professional Context)
This is:
✔ An original Dalí drawing
✔ Fully signed and dated
✔ Personal dedication
✔ Archival reference (Descharnes d5770)
✔ Auction history documented
✔ Executed directly within a major Dalí publication
Such works occupy a different category from lithographs or book illustrations: they are unique autograph drawings.
