This is a work by Vecchio Sultano, made in mixed media – watercolours and felt-tip pens. It is one of 100 illustrations for the Arabian Nights, which the Spanish surrealist created as part of a large but unfinished project. Dalí planned to paint 500 illustrations in total, but abandoned the idea, leaving the works unpublished.
Dali was obsessed with Moorish culture and believed he was descended from a Moorish family,” said Gabriel Downey, a fine art specialist at Cheffins.
Some of the illustrations were lost and some were preserved by patrons Giuseppe and Mara Albaretto. In 2014, the family presented 50 drawings, reviving interest in the series.
The Vecchio Sultano painting was purchased two years ago by a 60-year-old antiques dealer from Cambridge who noticed Dalí’s signature and Sotheby’s auction stickers on it. Despite this, the piece did not cause a stir – only one bidder placed a bid that did not exceed £150.
Some time later, the collector found an old Sotheby’s catalogue that identified the painting as a Dalí original. Auction Cheffins contacted French expert Nicolas Descharnes, who confirmed the authenticity of the work. The painting was created in 1966.
The auction, which will exhibit a rare work, will be held on 23 October.