Customer Reviews

Dali Catalogue of Etchings 1924-1980

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book was long overdue. Granted, there is an earlier book published by Albert Field that attempted a catalogue raissonne but this one done with help from longtime Dali collaborator/confidant Robt. Descharnes is at least as good and perhaps better. If you are a Dali print collector you are doubtless familiar with the rumors of forgery and fraud surrounding much of Dali's print ouevre. If you are not, the introductory material in this book will help to bring you up to speed. Fortunately, most of the flim flam material is off-set lithography and doesn't actually come within the purview of this book which covers only Etchings and Mixed-Media prints from 1924-1980. In reality, this is the pithy meat of Dali's print work. It is were a collector will find the most expensive and desirable prints and it is also where it showcases Dali's mastery of the drawn line. The format of the book is an introductory discussion of Dali's print-making history and the evolution of his signature and choice of paper. (Interestingly, there is an illuminating discussion of a couple of his most important print editions, especially the 'Chants de Maldoror' that any serious collector must become familiar with). Then there is more than 100 pps of color plates that highlight a lot of his prints, and here is where I lodge my only complaint about the book and which, in my opinion, brings it down a notch. For, the color reproductions at times have a slight, very slight, grainy-fuzzy quality to them which speak of less than stellar Book-plate reproduction values. This is a shock because this is a Prestel publication printed and bound in Germany; other books from this publisher that I own are of extreme high quality. Following the many full page color reproductions is an approximately 130 pps. raissonne with extensive edition information including dates, edition sizes, printers, publishers and media. This is an excellent resource and also a beautiful, well-made art book even with the tiny demerit for less than perfect reproduction values, and a worthwhile purchase for people who collect prints, enjoy prints, and enjoy Dali's work in that order.

Dali's etchings and Mixed Media prints from 1924 to 1980. A must for serious collectors of his work. The book is very useful to distinguish the large amount of forgeries created after his death.

Comprehensive showing of Dali's etchings.

A comprehensive look at S. Dali's etchings, very nice.