The Dion Gallery Web Site - Fine Art Sales in Worcester, Massachusetts

Cadaver in sepulchro Elisei

(A corpse in the tomb of Elisha)

Salvador Dali

This is one of one hundred and five illustrations of the "Sacra Biblia" by Salvador Dali, published by Rizzoli Editions, Milan Italy, 1967, and commissioned by Guiseppe Albaretto. From the collection of Roberto Mastella.

This piece is one of only nine examples hand-signed by Dali between 1976-1979.

Click on small pictures below for detail/closeup photos

Dali's friend and patron, Giuseppe Albaretto, commissioned the artist to create one hundred and five lithographs to illustrate the Bible. Six years were spent, from 1963 to 1969, in creating the lithographs which were edited and printed by Rizzoli Editions. Between 1976 and 1979 Mr. Roberto Mastella, a prominent Dali collector arranged through Mr. Albaretto to have Dali hand-sign examples of the lithographs.

These are the only known examples of the Sacra Biblia hand-signed by Salvador Dali in existance.

More than one year was spent researching and authenticating these lithographs. Mr Bernard Ewell, ASA, a recognized expert in the field of Dali's works and appraiser of the Salvador Dali Museum, St. Petersburg, FL, authenticated the lithographs and the hand-signatures by Dali. Dr. Mara Albaretto Berio, widow of Giuseppe Albaretto, has also authenticated these lithographs.

Bernard Ewell, in commenting on the series stated: "Having examined the original paintings, as well as the printed illustrations, I am tremendously impressed by the fidelity of the prints. It is frequently difficult to tell they are not the original paintings. They are of quality that would fool most viewers. Truly, the coming together of the Albarettos, the Bible and Dali resulted in a creation of a set of images that represent far more than the sum of the parts. Even so, it is worth stating again that each image quite clearly can stand alone as an individual work of art by Salvador Dali."

Cadaver in sepulchro Elisei: $19,500.00

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