AUCTION PREVIEW: Heritage will be auctioning several of Dali’s lithographs and other works in the upcoming 2020 April 21 Prints & Multiples Signature Auction – Dallas #8004.
Why are Dali’s lithographs so important?
While Auction King describes the purchasing of lithographs to be based on the rarity, the quality, condition, of the art as well as who the artist is (2), I would also argue that the subject matter of the work is just as important.
In Heritage Auctions’ offerings, we see a more naturalist side of Dali. The imagery is both a robust example of flora and fauna as well as whimsical. I can only imagine the artist that has been influenced by this combination.
The affordability of lithographs
As someone who is just getting started collecting art, the lithograph is a superb way to start. You might think the drawback of owning a print that is one of the multiples would be a bad investment. However, what you are getting is a range of tones not achieved in other print methods (3).
Lithographs are often one technique used in a print that is then coupled with another print method, making for rich and a diverse set of images.
What should a collector expect to pay for a Salvador Dali lithograph?
Heritage will be auctioning off more than 20 works of Dali’s in upcoming auctions. Starting bids for some lithographs are well below $1,000. For example, the work below Birth of Venus, 1979, a lithograph in colors on Arches paper carries a pre-auction estimate of $800-$1,200.
Dali’s affordable lithographs range from $500-$1,000 like his Christ of Saint John of the Cross, which was sold through the site Invaluable.com or as high as several thousand likes work such as Dali Paris on sites like Artsy.net.(1)
See all Salvador Dali art for sale and view past sale prices.
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Sources:
- https://www.artsy.net/artwork/salvador-dali-lithographs
- https://auctionking.com/blog/are-lithographs-a-good-investment/
- https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/l/lithography