An illustration of a grey sultan, bought at a sale in Cambridge for just GBP 150 (approximately UAH 8,400), turned out to be an original work by Salvador Dalí and is now estimated at GBP 20,000-30,000 (UAH 1.17-1.67 million). This is reported by The Guardian.
This is the work Vecchio Sultano, created in 1966. It is part of an unrealized project by Dalí - a series of 500 illustrations for One Thousand and One Nights, which the artist abandoned after the hundredth sheet. The drawing was made in watercolor and felt-tip pen.
Illustration of a grey sultan, S. Dalí. Photo: Cheffins/Cambridge
The find was made by a 60-year-old antique dealer from Cambridge, who at that time simply recognized Dalí's signature at the bottom of the painting.
"I like strange things, but I wasn't even sure I would hang this at home," the collector said.
The work was stored in the garage of a London house, and stickers from a Sotheby's auction in the 1990s were found on its back.
After studying the detailed Sotheby's catalog and contacting the Cheffins auction house, the authenticity of the work was confirmed by a well-known expert on Dalí's work, Nicolas Descharnes. According to him, despite the artist's atypical style, this illustration corresponds to the series in both technique and composition.
The auction at which the drawing will be put up for sale is scheduled for October 23.
Earlier, on the occasion of Dalí's birthday, Ukrainian News Agency prepared a selection of 10 iconic works of the genius.
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