Salvador Dalí Interprets Shakespeare: A Surrealist Masterwork from the "Shakespeare II" Portfolio
Salvador Dalí, the legendary Spanish surrealist, brings his extraordinary imagination to the works of William Shakespeare in The Merry Wives of Windsor, a rare and collectible engraving from 1971. This work is part of Dalí's celebrated "Shakespeare II" portfolio, in which the master of surrealism turned his hand to the Bard's most enduring plays. In Dalí's hands, Shakespearean comedy is transformed into something dreamlike, mysterious, and unmistakably his own.
The Artwork
The Merry Wives of Windsor captures Dalí's signature surrealist vocabulary—dreamlike figures, mythological allusions, and a haunting sense of narrative suspended in time. Executed as an engraving on BFK Rives paper, the work demonstrates Dalí's mastery of graphic technique and his ability to infuse classical literary subject matter with 20th-century psychological depth.
Edition & Authenticity
This piece is hand-signed in pencil by Salvador Dalí at the bottom right and is numbered CXXXIII/CC—one of only 200 rare copies in Roman numerals. It was published by Transworld Art and is documented in Albert Field's authoritative catalogue, pages 64–65, reference number 71-1G.
Condition & Provenance
A Certificate of Authenticity is provided with the artwork.
Collectibility
Dalí's illustrated books and prints are highly sought after by collectors worldwide. This piece represents a convergence of Dalí's graphic brilliance and his enduring fascination with literature, mythology, and the surreal dimensions of the human condition. As a limited edition, hand-signed work from the coveted "Shakespeare II" portfolio, it offers both aesthetic pleasure and long-term investment potential.
Ideal For
Collectors of Salvador Dalí and surrealist works
Enthusiasts of illustrated literary classics and Shakespeare
Interiors seeking a museum-quality, conversation-starting piece
Item Summary
|
| Artist | Salvador Dalí (1904–1989) |
| Title | The Merry Wives of Windsor |
| Portfolio | "Shakespeare II" (1971) |
| Year | 1971 |
| Technique | Engraving on BFK Rives paper |
| Signature | Hand-signed in pencil, lower right |
| Edition | Roman-numeral limited edition of 200 (CXXXIII/CC) |
| Publisher | Transworld Art |
| Catalogue Reference | Albert Field, pages 64–65, no. 71-1G |
| Sheet Size | 44 x 31.5 cm |
| Condition | Excellent condition |
| Frame | Sold with frame |
| Origin | France |
| Style | Surrealism |
| Period | 1970–1980 |
| Authentication | Certificate of Authenticity provided |
