Wood engraving in color on Rives paper.  One of one hundred illustrations of Dante’s “Divine Comedy”.  Hand signed in pencil lower right by the artist.  Signed in pencil on the verso by Jean Estrade.  Published by Les Editions d’Art Les Heures Claires, Paris.  Blindstamp of the editor and artistic director of “Les Heures Claires,” Mr. Jean Estrade, editor and artistic director of “Les Heures Claires,” the publisher of the Divine Comedy.

This work, which is from the collection of Mr. Jean Estrade offers an exceptional opportunity to Dali collectors seeking rare works with impeccable provenance.

The 100 wood engravings for the “Divine Comedy” were executed over a 14 year period from 1951 to 1964.  From 1951 to 1960, Dali painted the 100 watercolors which were used as studies for the wood engravings.  From 1960 to 1964, Raymond Jacquet created the more than 3,000 wood blocks which were necessary for the complete “Divine Comedy” with the participation and final approval of Salvador Dali for each of the 100 engravings.

“As director of “Les Heures Claires,” 19 Rue Bonapart, Paris, France, the publishers of the “Divine Comedy,” I personally supervised the destruction of the 3,000 wood blocks which were used after a single printing of the editions.”

“All of the works from the collection bear my stamp.” Jean Estrade, Editor.