Vintage Salvador Dali lithograph The War hand numbered in pencil. 

Salvador Dalí, known for his paintings, drawings, and even his own writings, was also an illustrator for many books. “Dalí worked in this field of creation so often because, rather than an amusement, the work was a necessity for him. Dalí had to express himself and any medium that allowed him to do so was valid. That was why he never missed an opportunity to work in publishing, ,” (Dali, a life in books, p.344). “Salvador Dalí used symbols repeatedly in his artwork.  He was influenced by Sigmund Freud’s idea that dreams can be understood symbolically – where each image has its own interpretation – Dalí approached his work this way” (Dalí Museum-Peter Tush, Curator of Education).  Shown here in the book illustrations are the main symbols, as well as other Dalí symbols. The use of these specific symbols shows how Dalí inserts himself throughout his artwork, even in books.

In 1948, while Salvador Dalí was in the United States, he was given a copy of The Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini.  In a description from Dalí By the Book from 1996: “Dalí illustrated The Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini, a 16th century Florentine goldsmith, sculptor, and author of one of the world’s greatest autobiographies… It tells of his adventures in Italy and France, his relations with popes, kings and other fellow artists. Famous for his sculptures and his silver and gold work this genuine personality lead a vivid and tumultuous life. ”Feeling inspired by eccentric stories, Dalí created forty-one illustrations for this book (Don Quixote de la Mancha: Illustrado Por Salvador Dalí, p. 77).

Dali’s interest in this book may have “resulted from his [Cellini’s] work as silversmith – we should remember that between 1949 and 1970 Dalí designed his own collection of jewels, which now belong to the Gala-Salvador Dalí Foundation” (Don Quixote de la Mancha; Illustrado Por Salvador Dalí, p. 78). In some illustrations, Dalí takes direct inspiration from Benvenuto Cellini’s own artwork.

This is a magnificent Salvador Dali lithograph based on Benvenuto Cellini's illustration " The War". This particular piece literally looks like a pen and ink drawing. However, because it is numbered 52/100 on the lower left indicates that it is part of a signed edition. I've compared this piece with similar ones online and nothing seems to compares with the details of this lithograph. It is on on laid paper which is consistent for the age and period. The lithograph is adorned with a beautiful gold gilt frame which measures 21 inches in height and 16 inches in width. The lithograph sheet size is 16.5 inches in height and 11.625 inches in width.