Lost Dali Artworks Unearthed in London Garage After Half-Century
A collection of forgotten Salvador Dali lithographs has been discovered in a London garage after 50 years. The artworks, along with pieces by Theo Tobiasse, are set for auction with an estimated value of £5,000.
In a remarkable discovery, a collection of forgotten artworks by Salvador Dali has been unearthed in a London garage, hidden for half a century. The find includes 10 lithographs created and signed by the renowned Spanish surrealist, alongside five lithographs by French artist Theo Tobiasse.
The artworks were discovered in a property located in Berkeley Square, Mayfair. Purchased in the mid-1970s for approximately £500, these pieces had been lost among the clutter of the central London garage for about 50 years. The collection is now slated for auction, with experts estimating its value at up to £5,000.
Chris Kirkham, associate director of Hansons Richmond auction house, was tasked with assessing the works as part of a pre-move clear-out. Kirkham described the discovery as "an amazing find," stating:
"I was invited to assess some antiques at a client's home. During the visit, the vendor took me to his garage and, lo and behold, out came this treasure trove of surrealist lithographs... They'd been tucked away and forgotten about for around 50 years. It felt quite surreal. You never know what you're going to uncover on a routine home visit."
Salvador Dali, born in Catalonia in 1904, was a pivotal figure in the Surrealist movement. Known for his eccentric behavior and distinctive mustache, Dali's work aimed to visualize the subconscious, creating dreamlike and bizarre images. His influence extended beyond painting; he designed the Chupa Chups lollipop logo in 1969 and even created a dream sequence for Alfred Hitchcock's film "Spellbound".
Dali's most famous painting, "The Persistence of Memory", was created in 1931 and has become an iconic image of surrealism. His work continues to command high prices in the art market. In 2011, his "Portrait De Paul Eluard" was auctioned for £13 million, setting a record for the most expensive Dali painting ever sold.
The discovery of these lithographs adds another chapter to Dali's fascinating legacy. From his claim of remembering his time in the womb to his pet ocelot named Babou, Dali's life was as surreal as his art. His last painting, "The Swallow's Tail", was completed in 1983, marking the end of a prolific career that spanned decades and left an indelible mark on the art world.
As these long-lost lithographs prepare to go under the hammer, they serve as a reminder of the enduring allure of Dali's work and the potential for extraordinary discoveries in the most unexpected places.
