A painting by the surrealist artist Salvador Dalí, acquired for £150 in 2023, is now expected to sell for between £20,000 and £30,000 at auction. The mixed-media artwork, titled "Vecchio Sultano," measures 38 cm by 29 cm and depicts a sultan with a jeweled turban, inspired by "One Thousand and One Nights." The piece, created with watercolor and felt-tip pen, showcases a different aspect of Dalí's artistic practice, moving away from his signature surrealist style.
The artwork was authenticated by Nicolas Descharnes, a recognized Dalí expert, who confirmed its stylistic and material consistency with other works from the same series. "Vecchio Sultano" originated from a project commissioned in 1963 by Giuseppe and Mara Albaretto, who initially asked Dalí to illustrate the Bible. However, Dalí became fascinated with Moorish culture and the "One Thousand and One Nights" collection, intending to create 500 illustrations. The project was ultimately abandoned after Dalí completed approximately 100 works, with half retained by the publishing house Rizzoli and the other half believed lost or damaged.
Gabrielle Downie of Cheffins, the auction house, noted that the find illuminates Dalí's deep interest in Moorish culture. The painting will be presented at Cheffins' Art & Design Sale on October 23, 2025. This rediscovery is significant for Dalí researchers, offering insight into a less-explored period of his career and highlighting his versatility beyond his iconic surrealist imagery.