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Salvador Dali 

"Slave Market with the Disappearing Bust of Voltaire" (1940)

This piece is one of Dalí's most famous examples of the "double image" technique, where the artist uses visual puns and optical illusions to challenge a viewer's perception. 

The Illusion: At first glance, you may see two figures in 17th-century clothing (nuns or Dutch merchants) standing under an archway. However, as the image "flips" in your mind, these figures and the surrounding elements dissolve to form a sculpted bust of the philosopher Voltaire; The heads of the figures become Voltaire's eyes and the rear arch of the building forms his forehead.

This piece is:

  • VERY RARE!
  • Hand signed in ink on the image
  • Certificate of Authenticity is provided (photograph provided)
  • Custom Framed in a Heavy Ornate Gold Wood Frame
  • Hand Wrapped Black Linen with a gold wood filet and a Gold Artist Nameplate Metal Plaque.
  • Framed Size:  20" x 23" 
  • Image Size: 7" x 10"
  • The Composition: On the left, Dalí’s wife, Gala, is depicted leaning on a red velvet tablecloth, gazing at the bust.
  • Location: The original painting is housed in the Salvador Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida
  • Looking for different framing?  Contact us!
About the Artist: Salvador Dalí (1904–1989)
Salvador Dalí was a leading figure of the Surrealist movement and remains one of the most iconic and influential artists of the 20th century. Born in Figueres, Spain, Dalí was a master of technical precision, using a "hand-painted dream photograph" style to render the bizarre and the subconscious with startling clarity.
 
The Master of Surrealism
Dalí’s work is characterized by its exploration of subconscious imagery, Freudian symbolism, and meticulously detailed landscapes. His eccentric personality and flamboyant mustache made him a global celebrity, but it was his unparalleled ability to manipulate visual perception that cemented his legacy in art history.
 
The "Slave Market" & The Double Image
The artwork featured in this listing, Slave Market with the Disappearing Bust of Voltaire (1940), is a premier example of Dalí’s Paranoiac-Critical method.
  • Optical Illusion: In this masterpiece, Dalí utilizes a "double image" where the figures of two Dutch nuns in an archway simultaneously form the eyes and head of the French philosopher Voltaire.
  • Symbolism: Through this illusion, Dalí aimed to show how the "disappearing" bust of the rationalist philosopher represented the triumph of the subconscious and surreal over traditional logic.
 
 

Salvador Dali "Slave Market with Bust of Voltaire" Signed FRAMED Art with COA

SKU: DALI432FO
$599.99Price
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