SALVADOR DALÍ (Spanish, 1904-1989)
Les deux paysans dans la fosse, fossoyeurs d’Ophélia, l’un brandit le crâne de Yorick constitué par les chiffres ‘4640/777’ à Hamlet (Acte V, scène 1)
(TR: The two peasants in the pit, gravediggers of Ophelia, one brandishes Yorick’s skull made up of the numbers ‘4640/777’ to Hamlet)
signed with the monogram and dated ‘GALA DALI 1967’ (lower left)
watercolor and pen and ink on paper
15 1/8 x 11 1/4 in. (38.5 x 28.5 cm.)
Nicolas and Olivier Descharnes have confirmed the authenticity of this work.
PROVENANCE: Acquired directly from the artist, and thence by descent to private collection, UK. Private collection, USA.
PRICE: on request
Alas poor Yorick’ monologue spoken by Hamlet (Hamlet Act 5 Scene 1):Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio: a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy: he hath borne me on his back a thousand times; and now, how abhorred in my imagination it is! my gorge rims at it. Here hung those lips that I have kissed I know not how oft. Where be your gibes now? Your gambols? your songs? your flashes of merriment, that were wont to set the table on a roar? Not one now, to mock your own grinning? quite chap-fallen? Now get you to my lady’s chamber, and tell her, let her paint an inch thick, to this favour she must come; make her laugh at that.
The number 4640 means ‘well-traveled’ and ‘adventurous’ in numerology. It also resonates with ‘mutability’ and ‘flexibility’. Associated with wisdom, intuition and divine connection, the angel number 777 is considered a powerful spiritual message. When it appears repeatedly in your life, it is a reminder that you are on the right path and that you are in tune with your purpose and mission in life.
This is hand-signed with a symbol he often used with a crown made of milk, topped by a cross. Within the circle is his inscription “Gala DALI 1967”, conflating his name with that of his wife (as he often did). This is all done by hand but known by the term “monogram”.
