DALÍ'S 16 FOLIO ETCHINGS FOR THE FIRST WORK OF MASOCHISM, SACHER-MASOCH'S VENUS IN FURS, EACH PRINT ONE OF 145 PRINTED ON JAPON, EACH BOLDLY SIGNED IN PENCIL BY DALÍ
(DALÍ, Salvador). [SACHER-MASOCH, Leopold von]. Venus in Furs [Venus aux Fourrures]. [Paris: Editions Argillet, 1969]. Folio (11-1/2 by 16 inches), 16 loose drypoint etchings, with watercolor, laid into original moire silk portfolio, original moire silk clamshell box. $32,000.
Fine and complete suite of 16 original drypoint etchings, with roulette and watercolor highlights, designed by Dalí to illustrate the pioneering work of masochism, Leopold von Sacher-Masoch's Venus in Furs. Each print number 14 of only 145 on Japon (from a total edition of 604), and each is boldly signed in pencil by the artist.
Venus in Furs is Austrian novelist Leopold von Sacher-Masoch's best known work, and he drew heavily from his own life for its themes of female dominance, male submission, and sadomasochism. (Of course, the term "masochism" is named after Sacher-Masoch.) Dalí's surreal etchings superbly complement Sacher-Masoch's compelling mix of eroticism, violence, and fantasy. "Dalí's images have become icons of the fantastic, signposts (not maps) that point the way inward to that realm" (Clute & Grant, 246). This suite of plates was issued without Sacher-Masoch's text, originally published in German as Venus im Pelz in 1870. Field notes a total edition of 604, including this 1-145 on Japon in that number; Michler & Löpsinger describe the 1-145 limitation as a "separate edition" over and above the edition of 294. Michler & Löpsinger 357-376. Field 68-6.
Fine condition. A superb collection of signed original Dalí etchings.