Salvador Dali (Spanish, 1904-1989)
Nike: Victory of Samothrace: Homage to Raymond Roussel (c. 1975)
Bronze edition of 6, green patina; 216cm x 263cm x 96cm (weight: 1078 kgs) Cast at Fonderie Esfinge, Madrid (2003), Edition Diejasa, Figura el Puzon, Spain. Accompanied by certification of authenticity from Robert Descharnes. Literature: Salvador Dali Catalogue Raisonne, Le Dur et le Mou, by Descharnes, R & Descharnes, N, pg. 195 ; Ref #487. Private collection, Spain.
PRICE: on request
Salvador Dalí’s Nike: Victory of Samothrace: Homage to Raymond Roussel (c. 1975) stands as a monumental reimagining of classical art through the lens of surrealism. This exquisite bronze sculpture, standing over 2 meters tall and weighing 1078 kilograms, features a green patina and was cast at the renowned Fonderie Esfinge in Madrid. Drawing from the iconic second-century B.C. Greek masterpiece housed in the Louvre Museum, Dalí’s interpretation mirrors the Winged Victory of Samothrace with a duality, presenting two winged figures facing chest to chest. This innovative doubling signifies harmony, dualism, and beauty.
Dalí dedicated this sculpture to Raymond Roussel, the French avant-garde writer whose imaginative works deeply influenced the Surrealist movement. Roussel’s experimental prose aligned with Dalí’s fascination with the interplay of the real and the fantastical, making this piece both a tribute and a statement of artistic philosophy.
As documented in Salvador Dalí Catalogue Raisonné (Le Dur et le Mou) by Robert and Nicolas Descharnes, this rare edition of six is a prime example of Dalí’s ability to merge historical reverence with surrealist innovation. The sculpture not only pays homage to Renaissance art’s idealization of form but also challenges traditional perspectives by reinterpreting classical motifs in a modern context.
Below… Nike: Victory of Samothrace as shown in the Louvre Museum (1940s)
Dalí once proclaimed, “Surrealism is destructive, but it destroys only what it considers to be shackles limiting our vision.” This ethos is encapsulated in Nike: Victory of Samothrace, where Dalí liberates a timeless symbol of victory, transforming it into a dialogue between past and present.
This exceptional work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Dalí expert Robert Descharnes, ensuring its provenance and historical significance. Currently held in a private collection in Spain, this piece is a must-see for collectors and investors seeking a masterpiece that bridges antiquity and avant-garde surrealism.
